The iPhone and many of the apps designed to live on the device have the ability to track our location. Whenever they set up these apps, however, users get the option to opt in or out of location tracking services. But what happens when a malicious campaign doesn’t give users the option to opt of having their location tracked by cybercriminals? In fact, just this week, it has been discovered that iPhone users may be faced with that very possibility, as a sophisticated mobile malware campaign is gaining access to devices by tricking users into downloading an open-source mobile device management (MDM) software package.
First, let’s back up – how does a mobile device management software package work, exactly? Well, according to Continuum, Mobile device management (MDM) is a type of software used by an IT department to monitor, manage, and secure employees’ mobile devices. Therefore, once hijacked by hackers, this software could be used to gain almost complete access to a mobile device.
So, with this malicious MDM campaign, cybercriminals can gain access to a device and steal various forms of sensitive information, including the phone number, serial number, location, contact details, user’s photos, SMS messages, and Telegram and WhatsApp chat messages.
As of now, it’s not entirely clear how this campaign is being spread – though many signs point to social engineering. So, given the information we do know – the next question is what should iPhone users do next to stay secure? Start by following these tips:
- Keep up-to-date on the latest social engineering scams. It’s important you stay in the loop so you know what scams to look out for. This means reading up the latest security news and knowing what’s real and what’s fake when it comes to random emails, phone calls, and text messages.
- Turn off location services. It’s one thing for a cybercriminal to have ahold of your data, but it’s another thing entirely if they have the ability to track your location. This hack could not only impact your digital security but your physical security as well. So, turn off the location services immediately on your phone – that way if they gain access to your device, they won’t be able to track you.
- Use a mobile security solution. As schemes like this MDM campaign continue to impact mobile users, make sure your devices are prepared for any threat coming their way. To do just that, cover these devices with a mobile security solution, such as McAfee Mobile Security.
And, of course, to stay on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, be sure to follow me and @McAfee_Home on Twitter, listen to our podcast Hackable? and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.