New iPad owners beware: hackers are watching you. Actually, it is not as bad as it sounds, although the popularity of the iPad has given hackers new ways to become creative in their quests to undermine security measures. Your iPad itself is safe from the attacks, but you will want to keep your guard up, particularly if you own a PC that runs Windows.

The sheer focus of hackers with the iPad controversy is on the iTunes program.  Popups are usually a vehicle of choice for hackers to infiltrate computers.  This time, they are using a popup that claims to be the newest update for iTunes for the iPad as bait.  The intended victims are iPad owners who also have PCs that run Windows, yet do not have an updated anti-virus program running.  Windows users who do have good anti-virus programs running should be fine, as many of the major programs on the market have already identified this particular virus. 

To be more specific, the Trojan virus of concern is known as the Backdoor Bifrose AADY.  Hackers use this virus as a way to attack computers in order to steal account login information for users' email accounts and instant messaging accounts.  Once the login information is secured, hackers can then use these methods of communication as tools to spread the virus even further to other computers, among other things.

Without a doubt, the extreme popularity of the iPad has made it attractive bait for many hackers.  Since many iPad users will need to use iTunes in conjunction with the device, what better way to spread viruses to Windows machines than through a popup claiming to be an iTunes update?  This scheme is quite clever, and while it still does not affect the iPad directly, iPad owners who use Windows on their PCs may not be aware of the attempted attack and could consider it to be a legitimate download.  Once the Trojan gets onto their computers, it could grow to infect others via email or instant messaging attacks, giving hackers the access they were desperately seeking.

There is no need to be alarmed, however, as there are ways that you can prevent these Trojan attacks from happening.  Again, your iPad itself is safe.  If you do use a Windows-based PC, though, that is a whole other story, and you will want to take the following measures to ensure that you are safe.

Perhaps the most important measure you will want to take is to run a current and updated anti-virus program on your computer.  Run periodic updates to ensure you have the latest version, and you should be protected by the program's warnings should anything suspicious come about. 

Just as important as having a good anti-virus program is taking note of where you download your iTunes from.  You should only download iTunes directly from the Apple website.  Even if other websites appear to be professional and safe, none are safer than Apple itself.

As long as you take these simple measures, you should have no problem.  Being aware that such a virus exists is the first step, and practicing a bit of caution is the second.  Even though your precious iPad itself is safe, there is no reason your Windows computer should not be as well, so stay alert!

To read more on this issue, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7638376/iPad-users-targeted-by-hackers.html

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