Apple

Gone phishing: Apple users, watch out for this attempt to steal your personal information

posted by Alan F. / Jan 18, 2014, 4:57 PM

Gone phishing: Apple users, watch out for this attempt to steal your personal information

Here's a warning for those with an Apple iPhone, Apple iPad or any other Apple branded product. A phishing scheme is making its way around the internet aimed at Apple users. As with all phishing attacks, the email looks as though it came directly from Cupertino and starts by telling you that your Apple ID has been disabled. The scam tries to get you worried because it states that someone from a different IP address is trying to use your account.

The email provides a link where you are asked to provide your Apple ID and password. Run away. "X" out the email immediately, if not sooner. Keep in mind that Apple does not check your IP address, or else you might be unable to log into your Apple account from an iPhone or iPad. Additionally, if you stop and actually read the note, it says to Penligst to verify your identity. A quick Google check found no such word in the English language, and we're pretty sure that Apple wouldn't make up a word when communicating to customers.

Just remember that Apple will not embed a link to verify information. Also, if you run your cursor over the link, you will find it goes to a non Apple website with a .tk Country code domain. That stands for Tokelau, a country in the South Pacific that was responsible for 21.5% of all phishing attempts in 2010. So do your friends and family a favor. Spread the word before any of them makes a mistake that could cost them some money.

An image of the actual email can be found below.

Watch out for this phishing attempt aimed at Apple users

source: TUAW via RedmondPie

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24 Comments

1. alan_1230

Posts: 86; Member since: Apr 22, 2012

wow lol i dont think i would fall for this anyway .

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 5:51 PM 0

3. Topcat488

Posts: 1409; Member since: Sep 29, 2012

You might not fall for this... But you would be surprised how many Apple users will be caught... I won't say were less tech savvy, but a iphone just works, without much thought behind it.

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 6:13 PM 4

5. Mxyzptlk unregistered

And android has had numerous malware outbreaks on the play store on apps that look no different than normal apps. What's your point?

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 7:35 PM 7

6. XperiaFanZone

Posts: 2277; Member since: Sep 21, 2012

Indeed. Lots and lots of them.

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 7:41 PM 2

8. tedkord

Posts: 16999; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

I think his point is that there are many iPhone users who will fall for this. What's yours (besides automatic defense of Apple no matter what)?

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 8:29 PM 7

20. Mxyzptlk unregistered

You "think" which implies you have no idea what you are talking about. Checkmate

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 6:11 AM 0

24. tedkord

I'd hate to actually play chess with you. It's not satisfying to beat up on the witless. That's why arguing with you here leaves people feeling hollow

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 12:38 PM 1

10. g2a5b0e unregistered

And Android has what to do with this article? Nothing. Completely irrelevant.

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 8:54 PM 6

19. Mxyzptlk unregistered

It's as relevant as the bs android fans comment on in apple articles.

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 6:10 AM 1

21. g2a5b0e unregistered

No, it's completely irrelevant just as you state every time someone brings up Apple in an Android article. A hypocrite--that's exactly what you are.

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 8:04 AM 2

13. Topcat488

My point is many Apple users are gullable. Whats your point?

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 11:55 PM 3

17. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Again, android aren't any less gullible. Do you ever plan on making a coherent point or are you going to continue to dig yourself into a hole?

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 6:09 AM 0

18. Mxyzptlk unregistered

*android users aren't

22. Topcat488

I use Android, IOS, and Windows Operating Systems... But this article is about Apple "users", so don't let your panties get all bunched up. Sure there are "gullable" people everywhere, but this is a warning, so take heed to it. Is that coherent enough for you?

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 9:17 AM 0

25. xfire99

Posts: 1202; Member since: Mar 14, 2012

Do u even know the different betweens phising attacks and malware? Also, where are all those malware outbreaks at playstore? Like iOS has never had malware slipped through appstore before? . That little hole, suits u best to hide , u little troll.

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 2:19 PM 1

15. androiphone20

Posts: 1654; Member since: Jul 10, 2013

It really doesn't bother me either cause I got the warning and informed most of my peers. This is nothing new and I don't see why people try to make it sound like it's that much of a big deal, scams are practically everywhere.

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 12:33 AM 1

2. murali_v_2000

Posts: 36; Member since: Jan 31, 2012

Why is this even posted ? Don't have anything better to talk about Apple but under pressure to publish Apple titled article ?

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 5:55 PM 1

4. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Its a good warning just take it as that and warn your less savy apple users friends.

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 7:08 PM 2

7. Diazene

Posts: 129; Member since: May 01, 2013

the way it's written is quite bad and .tk is quite popular because it's one of the few free TLDs you can get

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 7:47 PM 0

9. tedkord

Other than the word penligst(?) It's much better than most phishing emails I've gotten. Most are laughably bad with ridiculous grammar and misspellings

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 8:32 PM 0

11. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

Here it goes....Most secure mobile OS in world...lol

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 9:46 PM 2

12. Ninetysix

Posts: 2931; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

This has nothing to do with iOS. RTFA.

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 10:57 PM 3

14. androiphone20

+1 why does he even bother?

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 12:26 AM 1

16. shuaibhere

When you talk about all the malware in playstore ...google and android is responsible for that..but when it is appstore ios and apple has nothing to do with it huh??? you guys complain about android for the same reason....