iPhone Users Targeted by YouTube Malware Scams

Fraudulent warnings claim device infection, lure users to dubious apps

iPhone users are being bombarded with alarming messages claiming their devices are infected with viruses, a tactic designed to trick them into downloading potentially harmful applications through YouTube.

Deceptive Warnings Plague YouTube Users

Reports indicate that a wave of fraudulent alerts has begun appearing for individuals using the YouTube application on their iPhones. These messages falsely claim severe malware infections.

When the YouTube app is opened, some users are encountering dire warnings stating, “Your iPhone has 247 viruses.” This alarming notification is intended to create panic and prompt immediate action.

Security Expert Warns of Elaborate Scam

René Petron, Deputy Head of the Electronic Threats Department at Infoblox, shared her alarming encounter on LinkedIn. She described seeing a “frightening” message while attempting to watch a video on YouTube.

“Her phone will be completely disrupted, and the SIM slice will be broken, and all pictures and contacts from the phone will be deleted, if you did not click on the option (install) to download A specific application.”

—René Petron, Deputy Head of the Electronic Threats Department at Infoblox

Clicking the prompt redirects users to the App Store, where they are encouraged to download a “cleaning” application for their device. This app is currently ranked fiftieth in the “productivity” category on the Apple store.

Sophisticated Scams Reach High Ranks

Technical experts confirm the effectiveness of these deceptive messages, noting that a significant number of YouTube users on iPhones have fallen prey to the scam. The app being promoted has managed to achieve a relatively high ranking within the Apple store, underscoring the sophistication of the operation.

Phishing scams like these are becoming increasingly common, with cybercriminals constantly evolving their methods to exploit user trust. For instance, a recent report by cybersecurity firm Check Point Research found that phishing attacks rose by 51% globally in the first quarter of 2023, highlighting the persistent threat landscape (Check Point Research, Q1 2023 Threat Index).