A mobile security firm called Wandera found that malicious software had been installed on several iPhone apps. This software isn’t designed to necessarily attack users, but that doesn’t mean their devices can’t be compromised.
According to Express: “Although the apps weren't designed to cause any direct harm to users or their smartphones themselves, the nefarious behind-the-scenes activity would drain mobile data faster than usual, so if you're not on an unlimited 4G plan – it would cost you each month. Secondly, the activity from the apps could also cost you precious battery life, as well as slowing down your phone, since it's having to process all the extra ad requests.”
If you’re a faithful iPhone user, one of the reasons you may have chosen Apple over Android is because the company has a solid reputation as one that carefully vets apps prior to allowing them to become available for the iPhone. “Wandera claims these iPhone apps were able to Apple’s stringent review process since the malicious code was never inside the apps themselves – therefore there was nothing for Apple to detect when scanning them before allowing them onto the App Store,” reports Express. “Instead, the apps would receive instructions to begin their activities from a remote server hosted by the developers.”
Here are the list of app that were affected. If you have downloaded any of these apps, be sure to delete them ASAP:
RTO Vehicle Information
EMI Calculator & Loan Planner
File Manager – Documents
Smart GPS Speedometer
CrickOne – Live Cricket Scores
Daily Fitness – Yoga Poses
FM Radio – Internet Radio
My Train Info – IRCTC & PNR (not listed under developer profile)
Around Me Place Finder
Easy Contacts Backup Manager
Ramadan Times 2019
Restaurant Finder – Find Food
BMI Calculator – BMR Calc
Dual Accounts
Video Editor – Mute Video
Islamic World – Qibla
Smart Video Compressor