Apple’s App Store Breaks Records, Others Break Security
According to Forbes, Apple’s App Store platform is expected to surge with apps and e-books at a rate of 39 percent over the next three years, reaching an estimated $13 billion in revenue by 2013. After debuting in 2008, users have downloaded 15 billion apps. There are now more than 200 million iOS devices worldwide, each with an average of 75 apps. In total, more than 425,000 apps are currently available in the App Store.
However, the Apple’s popularity has made it a target among hackers. The company acknowledged a security flaw in iOS, allowing attackers to infect users’ devices with malicious software and give them administrative privileges.
Hackers may gain access to information like passwords, online banking data, e-mail and contact information, as well as intercept calls.
July 7th 2011 "Apple takes security very seriously; we're aware of this reported issue and developing a fix that will be available to customers in an upcoming software update," said Alan Hely, senior director for corporate communications in Apple's London office, in a statement. The security flaw allows attackers to infect users' iOS devices with malicious software that would give them administrator privileges just by displaying infected PDF files. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company says it will address the security concern in a forthcoming update.
