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New Malware Could Mean Trouble For iOS & macOS Security

Security researchers discovered an attack vector that, if exploited, would allow hackers to access messages, photos, and more.

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2 years ago

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new malware could mean trouble for ios and macos security
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Although Apple’s products are renowned for their robust security, no company is completely immune to hackers and malware. New research has recently revealed an attack vector that can affect Apple’s iPhone and Mac operating systems, allowing criminals to sweep messages, photos, and call history for exploitable data and — even more worryingly — access location data, photos, and the main camera.

The research comes from security firm Trellix, which says that the security flaws rank as “medium to high severity” and bypass the protections Apple puts in place to protect its users.

“The key thing here is the vulnerabilities break Apple’s security model at a fundamental level,” notes Doug McKee, director of vulnerability research at Trellix. McKee thinks his company’s findings could potentially lead to similar bugs being uncovered. However, it’s important to point out that Apple has so far plugged all of the security holes found by Trellix, and there’s no evidence they were ever exploited.

Trellix’s findings build on previous work by Google and Citizen Lab, who jointly discovered malware known as “ForcedEntry”, a zero-click, zero-day iOS exploit linked to Israeli spyware maker NSO Group and found initially on the iPhone of a Saudi activist.

Also Read: Facebook & Instagram Are Testing Twitter-Style Blue Checks

Analysis of ForcedEntry showed that it worked by fooling an iPhone into opening a malicious PDF disguised as a GIF, ultimately bypassing Apple’s sandbox — a protocol that keeps apps from accessing the data stored by other programs and areas of the device.

While Trellix’s findings are worrisome, it’s important to remember that attackers would need to gain a foothold into a device before being able to install any malware, and Apple has been very efficient at issuing security updates. The initial findings relate to macOS 13.2 and iOS 16.3, which were released in January, so it’s vital that readers ensure their devices are fully up to date!

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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.

Published

5 days ago

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December 17, 2024

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uae prepares to launch two satellites thuraya-2 and mbz-sat

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.

The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.

Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.

Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.

Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.

Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth

The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.

The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.

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