Apple owners have become victims of massive hacking: how to protect your iPhone
6 December 2024 19:40
Apple warns of a new wave of phishing attacks aimed at stealing your personal data by hacking your Apple ID. Attackers use fake emails, and sometimes even text messages and calls, to gain access to Apple accounts. This scheme involves sending messages about blocking your Apple ID or urgently verifying it, which contain links to a fake Apple website.
What is the new way of hacking iPhones?
Cybercriminals disguise their messages as official Apple emails using distinctive brand elements such as logos, fonts, and colors. The emails may contain messages such as “Your Apple ID has been blocked” or “Urgent account verification required”.
In the text of the email, users are asked to click on a link allegedly to “update” their personal data. This link leads to a fake website stylized as the official Apple website, where users are asked to enter their credentials. The attackers use this information to access your accounts. In addition, using this scheme, cybercriminals can gain full access to all your devices that use this Apple ID.
However, it is worth noting that Apple does not send such messages, and in exceptional cases, they may send an email from an email address ending in @email.apple.com.
In some cases, fraudsters may contact users by making phone calls, posing as Apple support staff. During this phone call, the attackers ask for personal data or remote access to the device.
How to recognize a phishing attempt?
First and foremost, you should remember that Apple will never verify your account or personal information via email, messages, or phone calls. So, if you receive emails or messages with questionable content or a request to update your personal information, it’s likely that the attackers are trying to hack your account.
The main signs of a phishing attack include the following:
- The messages contain urgent calls to action, such as warnings about possible account blocking and calls to update personal information;
- The text of the email contains only general requests and no mention of the user’s name;
- Emails or messages contain spelling, grammar, or stylistic errors that are not typical of Apple;
- Links lead to third-party or suspicious domains.
How can I protect my Apple ID from hacking?
There are several proven ways to help protect your account:
1.Don’t open suspicious links. If in doubt, it is better to go to the official Apple website yourself;
2. Avoid calls from unknown persons. Apple representatives do not make unexpected calls asking for personal information;
3. Set up two-factor authentication on your devices. This step will help you increase the security of your account;
4. Update your iOS and apps regularly. The latest software version contains the most current security updates, which will help protect your device from hacking;
5. Use unique passwords. On Apple gadgets, you can use the existing password manager to store complex passwords;
6. Report suspected phishing attempts. Suspicious emails can be sent to [email protected].
It is important to note that with the release of the latest versions of iOS and macOS, Apple has renamed Apple ID to Apple Account. This update will help users to distinguish between fake emails or messages that are distributed with the intention of stealing your data. Apple urges its users to trust only official resources and report suspicious activities of cybercriminals.
Author – Olya Yushko
