BitDefender has posted a news story that warns about a new malware scam that targets the new Apple iPad: BitDefender Warns of Malware Targeting iPad Users via iTunes Update. This is unusual, but it is actually nothing new and it is really just a variation of an old scam. It's been used before and this article describes how a message from Twitter can lead to the installation of Malware on Windows PCs. What's new and different about the iPad scam is that the subject of the email prompts you to download and install an update to iTunes in order to update the iPad.
This type of scam will reappear in the future with a different subject, but the aim is always the same - to get you to install malware. The weakest link in any security system is actually people. Always treat any email that tells you to click a link as highly suspicious. In this case, the solution would be to run iTunes on your computer and then use the menu option to check for updates. There's no need to click any links in emails. In fact, by default iTunes checks for updates anyway and prompts you to install them.
This type of scam will reappear in the future with a different subject, but the aim is always the same - to get you to install malware. The weakest link in any security system is actually people. Always treat any email that tells you to click a link as highly suspicious. In this case, the solution would be to run iTunes on your computer and then use the menu option to check for updates. There's no need to click any links in emails. In fact, by default iTunes checks for updates anyway and prompts you to install them.
