Hackers Demand Ransom for Allegedly Stolen iCloud Data

A group of hackers claims to have breached Apple'south iCloud platform and gained access to hundreds of millions of user accounts. If Apple doesn't pay a ransom, the hackers say they will remotely wipe the accounts.

SecurityWatch The hackers, who call themselves the "Turkish Crime Family," are request for $75,000 worth of bitcoin or Ethereum, or $100,000 in iTunes gift cards, Motherboard reported on Midweek. To encourage Apple tree to pay, the hackers are seeking publicity by sending screenshots of alleged emails betwixt them and Apple'due south security team to media outlets.

The hackers are threatening to reset some of the stolen iCloud accounts and remotely wipe victims' devices if Apple tree doesn't pay past April 7, co-ordinate to Motherboard, which reported that the hackers didn't share any bear witness of millions of hacked iCloud accounts other than a video of them allegedly logging into some of the accounts.

Amid the emails provided to Motherboard were a few from Apple's security team, which asked the hackers "to share a sample of the data set" and informed them that "we exercise not reward cyber criminals for breaking the law."

Although hijacking accounts and demanding ransoms is not uncommon, the Apple extortion is unusual both for the size of the alleged breach and the relatively depression ransom amount the hackers are enervating. Recent successful ransomware attacks have targeted lesser-known victims like hospitals and received millions of dollars in bribe payments.

Nonetheless, the extortion is a good reminder that fifty-fifty Apple tree, whose systems thoroughly protect user data, is nevertheless a target for hackers seeking ransoms. It'southward also a good reminder to modify the password of your iCloud account and fix two-cistron authentication.