Security experts at Malwarebytes have issued a warning about fake adverts promising cut-price deals on the iPhone Duo, Apple's upcoming foldable device. The phone, which features a passport-style design that opens like a book to reveal a larger screen similar in size to an iPad mini, is scheduled for release on October 23.
Fake pre-order websites pose serious threat
According to Malwarebytes, cyber crooks are trying to cash in on the excitement ahead of the launch. While some scams are easy to spot and are clearly fake, one particularly convincing pre-order website poses a much more serious threat. The fake page features full Apple branding and looks remarkably authentic, even dangling a tempting discount of more than £300 off the iPhone Duo's £2,000 price tag.
Anyone fooled into visiting the site and trying to grab some money off could end up paying a far higher price. Rather than securing a bargain, victims risk having their iPhones infected with dangerous DarkSword malware. If the attack succeeds, criminals could steal a huge amount of personal information, including messages, call history, contacts, voicemails, emails, calendar entries and cached location data.
How to protect your device
“The page uses the leaked DarkSword exploit chain to try to break into vulnerable iPhones,” Malwarebytes explained. “If it succeeds, a separate payload attempts to steal saved credentials, cryptocurrency wallet data, and notes. You don't have to fill in the form, tap a download, or approve anything. Opening the page is enough to start the attempt.”
There is, however, a simple way to reduce the risk. Apple has already patched the vulnerability exploited by this attack, so installing the latest version of iOS is an important step in protecting your device. Users should also steer clear of websites claiming to offer early access or huge discounts on the iPhone Duo.
Pre-orders and device details
Apple has yet to open pre-orders, which are scheduled to begin on October 16. The phone is then due to arrive in Apple Stores and start shipping to customers from October 23. As a reminder, the iPhone Duo features a dual-lens rear camera, long battery life, MagSafe charging and Apple Pencil compatibility. Prices start at £2,000, making those fake discounts particularly tempting for anyone hoping to save some cash.
