Inexplicable rise in iPhone dev's App Store sales connected to iTunes account hacks? (update)
By Ross Miller 
posted July 4th 2010 2:01PM
posted July 4th 2010 2:01PM
So, how did these books hit the top of the charts? The other half of this story has to do with a claimed rise in iTunes account hacking, with a number of people reporting up to hundreds of dollars being spent unwillingly from their account to these specific books. Coincidence? Let's not mince words here, something is definitely amiss, and it's not looking good. Just to be safe, might wanna check your purchase history under Apple Account information. We've reached out to Apple and will let you know as soon as we hear back.
Update: We've yet to hear from Apple proper, but we do have an update of sorts -- 9 to 5 Mac reports all the "mycompany" titles have completely vanished from the App Store. We're not sure whether Apple decided to shut down the operation or the seller pulled them himself, so continue to keep an eye on your digital pocketbook until we know for sure.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Ummmm this is not like Apple Headquarters was breached and they gave up everyone's info. This is just another case of stolen identity. The same scenario happened to me not to mention on a PC so before you now declare Apple as some horrible enemy, get your facts straight. With BILLIONS of purchases things like this happen all the time it's the 21st century.
@Chris Huge
Sorry but it sound a pity excuse.
@magallanes A pity excuse? Do you live in a hole? This stuff literally happens 24/7.
It is not the first time that Apple's account has been hacked and not only involves itunes account but also developers account.
Well maybe this explains the call I got from Chase bank, stating my card, thought inactive for 2 years, had been used for an apple purchase.
The thing is, these things aren't just happening to Apple. It's widespread. It's just that Apple should never have tried to imply that problems like these only happen to Windows users. It's misleading and in my eyes, is an outright lie; although legally they say it in such a way that it can be denied in court. What they can't deny is intent though.
I recently had my WoW account hacked into (it had been inactive for 8 months). It wasn't phishing.
2 weeks ago, Gmail informed me that someone in China was in my gmail account concurrently as I was.
Also, as long as you are using a credit card, you can dispute it with the card company. Depending on the laws of your country, it can be quick or slow. In my case (Singapore), they take immediate action in any (at least the 2 I had totalling over $2000) dispute and just give me back the credit.
Not a big deal here but I guess as far as Apple news goes, this is pretty big frakking deal. Maybe if they hadn't been so damn smug and misleading in their ad campaigns, news like this wouldn't raise so many eyebrows.
1. Allow hackers invade your website.
2. Claim: Hey! it was the hackers which sent those emails!!! Our PR was right!!!!
3. Apple fanboys blame the other website for ill and false claims against Apple and continue buying iPhones.
4. Profit!!!!
PC users most likely :P
And how is this a good thing may someone explain?
I love all my tech, and despite their flaws I still buy them, wherever it's from. I don't find any sort of security flaw good and I don't get happy to see another brand get them.
It's kind of pathetic that a lot of MS fanboys are wetting their pants when anything remotely close to a security flaw is found in Apple's products, despite the non-stop track record of their own...
Also a reminder, when you link somebody with articles of OS X/Linux flaws, don't find some generic article from 2004 with a virus that requires a password in the first place...especially when I'm pretty sure after 6 years it would have been patched right now.
This one of those reason's why I sold my Iphone 4 because of problems and service at At&t drop calls and service dead zones went to Verizon Wireless for the Droid X. Can't be more happier and plus Droid is much better OS than Iphone OS and apple OS Control.Steve Job's just need's to let loose a give the customer's what they want on there Iphone's, Like Flash Support and Jail Braking should be legal to do whatever you want.
@BReeves688 Cool story, icebro
Apple is home.com lol
It's about time someone took a bite out of apple. *cue comedic drum roll* dah dum cha
Best news in a long time.
Shut up take my money or somebody elses whose account I've hacked.
Introducing Apple 2.0 Less secure then before yet we're still condescending assholes. I'm sure the apologists will be out tomorrow saying it was just a "glitch" in the "algorithm" for displaying popular shareware errr apps.
Dumb bastards...
LOL I though Apple had the most secure platform! HAHAHA!
Now that they are big, and people have no security on them, because there "safe" hackers and viruses will come in droves. I see the first real AntiVirus software maker for MAC making a fortune. It will probably be a company made up of the virus writing hackers LOL.
i got stung by app store thieves a little while ago! i had only entered my password once on itunes on my computer, on signup (approximately two years ago, when i first got my iphone) and had never done since.. then about 3 months ago i noticed my itunes passwordhad changed (when browsing via my phone) and inexplicable purchases were being made. still no idea how my password was stolen - i can't imagine it had been stolen via keylogger the one time i entered the password 2 years ago, only to be used recently (it wasn't even the same password as any of my other passwords, so it couldn't have been due to guesswork by the thieves!)
Apple refused to speak to me by phone, instead opting for 24 hour email responses which took around 48 hours in actuality! and during this back and forth emailing, more money was being stolen from my account while they were twiddling their thumbs!
I made to apple the analogy of how amazon (or any large or *respectable* online retailer) operate - if a new delivery address is given, then you must re-supply all the bank and card details, just in case the account has been compromised. Do apple do this with the app store? NO! you can just register the account on a new computer (akin to new delivery address), and instantly start buying things - no verification that you are indeed the account holder!
Apple did not see this as a problem, and could not see that these sloppy security measures were clearly enabled the fraudulent purchases (someone shoulnd't be able to spend on my card by having access to my itunes account!) and that the ease of fraud clearly incentivises thieves to do it.
I got none of my money back (apple pointed finger at me, bank pointed finger at apple) and my comments about security (or lack thereof) were promptly disregarded. truly the actions of a company who put profits ahead of anything else - they don't care if it's me or someone else fraudulently buying things from the app store, as long as things are being bought from the app store!
*rant over*
Apple welcome to the Windows club.
Now you know what it means to dine with the big boys.
I can confirm that my account has been compromised. I have been keeping an eye on it after some purchases showed up on my bank statement that i didn't buy. The problem is that its not showing up in Past Purchases in iTunes. Apples excuse for it. I am a victim of Fraud. UHHHHHH......... YEAH QUIT MAKING ME THE VICTIM APPLE!
My account was hacked, but they didn't purchase these books. Just some albums and a bunch of crappy apps. The funny thing was is I hadn't made a purchase in almost a year and I rarely open the iTunes store. Luckily, my bank gave me credit and is investigating. Those with your credit card saved to your account, be sure to remove that immediately.
Bad reporting! It may be a case of credit card fraud, not hacked account. If iTune accounts were hacked, wouldn't the user get the apps also?
A couple of years ago, my account was hacked to purchase gift cards. Apple wouldn't help, PayPal wouldn't help, so I had to have my bank investigate the charge and refund me. I still use iTunes, but I no longer trust Apple with my payment information, so I use gift cards.
I'd agree with an earlier post. This is bigger news simply because Apple owners tend to believe (and write that) these things only happen to PC users. I have a friend wed to Apple who flat out stated that Macs don't need antivirus or malware software because of the way Apple's software is written, almost impossible to hack. And Apple themselves encourage the fairytale with their PR. The more Apple takes a bite of the marketplace, the more they'll become a target for those with bad things in mind. They've avoided most of the issues so far only because they were a minor presence up until recently. The bigger they get, the more problems they'll have. They aren't so different from any of the other platforms in reality. They've justed hoisted a halo over their heads to leave the impression they're untouchable, but doing a disservice to their users by failing to caution that their platform is not immune to malware and phishing. Ignore basic protections at your own risk.
I guess it makes sense.
Windows has been deemed vulnerable because it was the dominant platform, hence malicious people attempt to hack/hijack/make viruses and what not. Apple's gaining popularity, and hence becomes another target of the same threats. Better ramp up those security measures...
Since Atheist isn't the most populous religion and that I have never heard of Conan and other books in the list, I am also assuming that the Apple Store is being hacked.
@TheWhat Atheist isn't a religion...neither is Atheism...nor is it NOT a religion, an atheist is one who does not believe in God or gods and Atheism is merely a name given to the state of not believing in God or gods...Atheism is as much a religion as Theism is...which is to say not at all one. Just as Theists branch off into several sects and religions, etc, etc, even as far as being non-religious, so do Atheists...a lot of people tend to think atheism means more than it actually does.
Theism - belief in God or gods
Atheism - the lack of belief in God or gods
that's it.
Neither of those words designates whether someone is religious or not though theists are more likely to be religious and atheists more likely not to be.
Apple has become the big brother!
will apple approve antivirus software in appstore?
...remember the Ad where PC catched a cold?
this is soooo satisfying!
sorry, but it is!
look like we have a party here...