New Virus Targets Daft Windows-based iPad Users

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The iPad 3G comes out today. We want do our part to get you ready for your big day of mobile tablet browsing, so we’re bringing you this important public service announcement. Windows users are being hit with a new piece of malware that targets iPad users.

Hackers (or whatever you call people who write malware) are sending out these scammy e-mails that are under the guise of being from Apple. They have the subject line of “iPad Software Update” and will redirect you to what is reported as a ‘legitimate looking’ Apple site that directs you to download a new copy of ‘iTunes’.

The unfortunate marks who install ‘iTunes’ are instead installing Backdoor.Bifrose.AADY on their computer. This little backdoor attaches itself to the explorer.exe process and will allow hackers to open up a back door onto your system. In addition to the backdoor, it reportedly will scan your software for serial keys, as well as try to steal your ICQ and Yahoo Messenger login, as well as for any POP3 mail logins you might have on a program like Thunderbird or Outlook.

Definitely nasty stuff. The anti-virus guys at BitDefender are on top of the scam as they broke the story on their blog. Remember, TFTS readers, iTunes has its own standalone patcher on Windows (you know, the one that bugs you to install Safari 4) so don’t go clicking on any shady links. (good advice in any case, actually)