Apple expected to witness rise in malware in 2016

Apple expected to witness rise in malware in 2016

Apple users better sleep with an eye open; security experts are suggesting that the next year could be a bumpy ride…in terms of protection, at least. It is expected that Apple devices would witness a surge in attacks on its operating systems, come 2016. Security firm, Symantec just issued a statement pertaining to its predictions for the next year. And the company’s prediction does not translate into good news for either Apple or its users.

According to market experts like SmartIO and more.The company said that the number of malware directed and the iOS had doubled this year; even Mac computers were attacked more than last year. Another security firm, FireEye also issued predictions along the same line, indicating 2016 would see a significant rise in Apple malware. It went on to elaborate that newer and more lucrative Apple-based systems, such as Apple Pay could be major targets.

The company didn’t have to wait for the year to end to make the prediction. According to its research, the number of OS X computers that were infected until September 2015 were seven times more than all the malware the operating system faced in all of 2014.

This, however, doesn’t mean that Apple devices are now suddenly more vulnerable than Windows and Android devices.  Apple devices are still significantly more secure than its counterparts, however, the fact that they are more secure only adds to their value. It is common knowledge that, by creating a more closed community, iOS devices are more secure than Android devices. But an operating system can take only so much before it is penetrated. Users access multiple apps for the App Store on a daily basis – games, content transfer apps, photo editing tools etcetera. Should even one of those apps be infiltrated, the entire device is compromised.

“Apple remains a relatively safe platform but Apple users can no longer be complacent about security, as the number of infections and new threats rise,” said Mr Dick O'Brien, a researcher at Symantec.

Experts are of the opinion that this year, no attempts were made at Apply Pay. However, given the financial angle to the system, hackers are bound to be tempted to penetrate the system, once it is rolled out on more devices, or more broadly. So as suggested, one can only advise Apple device users to not be complacent, and remain wary. The Apple has always been the forbidden fruit.