Windows malware targets iPad owners

A classic e-mail scam has been given a new twist, attempting to wreak havoc on gullible iPad owners with Windows PCs.

BitDefender, a company that makes anti-virus software, warns of unsolicited e-mails advertising an iPad software update "for best performance, newer features and security." A link in the e-mail sends users to a website that looks just like iTunes and prompts them to download the latest software.

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Of course, the download is actually a chunk of malicious code dubbed Backdoor.Bifrose.AADY. It gets into the computer's explorer.exe process and allows control over the entire system. The malware is capable of logging passwords for POP3 e-mail, ICQ, Messenger and protected storage. Only Windows PCs are affected, not Macs nor the iPad itself.

BitDefender's first piece of advice is the best: Don't download anything from sources you don't know, and only get iTunes updates from Apple's website. Along that line, if you ever get an e-mail prompting you to download software, use extreme caution and check the sender's e-mail domain name. Of course, if you're even reading this story, you probably know all of that already. BitDefender's other advice -- buy their products, and so forth -- aren't really necessary at that point.

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It's always sad when malware makers and distributors target the newest trends, hoping to trick people who don't know any better. The same thing happened recently with McAfee's botched anti-virus update, as hackers filled webpages with malicious code and used search engine optimization to get to the top of Google, making the problem worse for people in desperate need of a fix. Sadder still, it works.

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