Apple’s (AAPL) stiff rules and extensive testing procedures have done a great job of keeping malware out of the iOS App Store. With just a few notable exceptions, iOS users have been able to download apps without having to worry that their personal data or their device itself might be compromised. As discovered by users and recently noted in Apple’s own support forum, however, iPhone, iPod touch and iPad owners who download apps using iTunes on Windows PCs might want to start exercising some caution.
Sophos’s Naked Security blog on Wednesday noted that a live app in Apple’s iOS App Store has been found to contain malware. Not iOS malware, however… Windows malware.
The app in question, dubbed “Instaquotes-Quotes Cards For Instagram,” was found to contain a Windows virus called Worm:Win32/VB.CB or Worm.VB-900. It is not clear if the worm was deliberately planted by the app’s developer or if it was an accident caused by an infection on the developer’s computer.
“Instaquotes-Quotes Cards For Instagram” was initially made available in the App Store on July 19th, and Apple removed it on July 24th two hours after it was discovered to contain malicious code.
[Via Naked Security]