• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Warning to everyone with an iPhone over hidden threat

Home> Apple> iPhone

Published 10:56 27 Mar 2024 GMT

Warning to everyone with an iPhone over hidden threat

The trojan originally targeted Android devices.

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

Scams are getting more adept at disguising their schemes, making it harder to identify what's a scam and what isn't.

With the increasing use of AI, scammers are now using deepfake tactics to impersonate loved ones and con people out of money.

Whether it's your stranded spouse with a broken down car needing gas money, or your sister urgently requesting financial assistance, things are getting all too realistic.

Android users were originally warned of the swooping virus that could impersonate its user, and it has now migrated onto its rival Apple.

Advert

Dubbed 'GoldPickaxe,' the mobile trojan uses advanced social engineering tactics to lure victims into scanning their faces and ID documents.

NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty

This malicious activity is suspected of facilitating the creation of deepfakes, enabling unauthorised access to banking systems.

Criminals can then use the fake images of you to steal your cash through Apple's face recognition. They can also monitor and track text messages for further exploitation.

Advert

The trojan was discovered by cybersecurity firm Group-IB, who confirmed the threat across iOS devices.

It has been linked with the Chinese threat group 'GoldFactory,' which has ties to other malware strains such as 'GoldDigger,' 'GoldDiggerPlus,' and 'GoldKefu.'

So far though, the virus hasn't affected anywhere but Vietnam and Thailand.

Group-IB’s Threat Intelligence unit says it has been 'constantly monitoring this evolving threat and unearthed an entire cluster of aggressive banking Trojans'.

Advert

For iOS users, scammers initially directed victims to a TestFlight URL that bypassed standard security checks. After Apple removed TestFlight, the attackers shifted tactics to persuade users to downloading a malicious Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile, granting full control over the device.

NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty

Once installed, the trojan can capture faces, intercept SMS and request ID verification.

Unfortunately, the Android variant only has more malicious activities due to its weaker security barriers.

Advert

Utilising over 20 bogus apps as its disguise, GoldPickaxe on Android can access SMS, browse files, upload photos, install additional packages, and create fake notifications.

The best way for smartphone users to safeguard themselves against these kinds of malicious acts is to never download or open any links from unknown contacts.

Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity on your phone also including mysteriously appearing apps or the unauthorised powering on of your device's camera.

Featured Image Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
iPhone
Cybersecurity

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

14 hours ago
20 hours ago
5 days ago
  • 14 hours ago

    You should delete these 5 pre-installed apps if your iPhone is beginning to slow down

    No, you don't need that app you've never used

    Apple
  • 20 hours ago

    Little-known weather app trick on iPhone can save you from a surprise rainfall every time

    Never forget an umbrella or coat ever again

    Apple
  • 5 days ago

    Massive battery upgrade coming soon for millions of iPhone users but there's a catch

    The new feature is coming with iOS 26

    Apple
  • 5 days ago

    People are just discovering what the ‘i’ in iPhone stands for and it's not what you'd expect

    The meaning of the iconic letter changed over the years

    Apple
  • FBI send urgent warning to 150,000,000 iPhone users to delete these specific text messages
  • FBI issues warning to 1,000,000,000 iPhone users to delete this text immediately
  • Android and iPhone users put on red alert following rise in quishing attacks costing people millions each year
  • Urgent warning to all 1,800,000,000 iPhone users over popular feature's 'dangerous' flaw