Major 2010 cyber security threat: iPhone apps (so says McAfee!)

Giant computer security software developer McAfee just released its 2010 top cyber security threats countdown. Among the usual suspects, such as Facebook, Microsoft software, botnets, e-mail malware, phishing, and trojans, one thing stood out in particular: the iPhone AppStore itself.

“As users expectations of their Web 2.0 services evolve, we expect to see many rogue services set up with the hidden purpose of capturing credentials and data. Users blindly distribute applications; with the widespread availability of stolen credentials it could become very easy to launch and share these rogue apps across a wide population. The audience is there: Facebook boasts more than 350,000 active applications and Apple’s App Store recently reached the 100,000 mark. And that’s not counting the numbers in other markets. Wherever and whenever a trusted mainstream website distributes or promotes third-party content, attackers seek to abuse the trust relationship established between the site and their users. Why? Because it works. Users often let down their guard when clicking hyperlinks sent from their friends, or when installing applications offered by well-known sites,” states a part of McAfee’s report.

It appears that McAfee perceives the threat as real, but could this problem be widespread enough with Apple’s rigorous screening process? That’s a rhetorical question, since 2010 is (almost) here and we’ll know for sure soon enough.

Tags: app, Apple, application, apps, appstore, Facebook, iPhone, Microsoft, OS

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