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How to restore access to your iPhone in case of blocking the intruders: a practical experience

In Russia there is frequently a new way of extorting money, which has developed a phone Scam. Attackers block iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and demand money for unlocking. Nvpress told the story of “saving” gadget, what happened with the inhabitant of Yakutia.

For unlocking ask 1000 roubles

“A week ago, my beloved iPhone 5s was blocked, – says one of the victims of the Scam Varvara Semenova. – At first I didn’t understand what happened, tried several times to restart the phone. But every time you turn on the screen appeared: “the Device is lost and locked”. To launch the smartphone, it was required to enter the Apple ID and password. All my attempts ended in failure. And only later I noticed that there is another message for me: “Write [email protected]”. Thinking that the email address of Apple support, I immediately wrote a letter calling for help. The answer was not long in coming: “Hello, Your device is locked. Unlock costs 1000 rubles. Payment on QIWI wallet. It will unlock within 5 minutes after payment”. When I received this letter until I finally got someone trying to hustle me for money. My argument here has confirmed Google – it turns out that there is a new type of cybercrime and extortion of money at owners of “iPhones”, “iPads”, “MacBook”. Victims of criminals-hackers became thousands of Russians”.

The girl for himself just decided to send their money to the extortionists, it never will be. “In the next letter I asked is there any guarantee that after you send the money send me the access code and will not crack after a couple of days the second time? He received an insolent reply: “your device does not need. This one-time procedure”.

Will only support Apple

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Unlock iPhone the girl alone failed, although it tried to do it according to the instructions found on the Network. On the advice of friends, she waited until Monday (the device was locked on Friday night) to get in touch with the Russian service of technical support Apple.

“I called the number that was listed on their website: 8-495 – 580-95-57. The operator, having listened to the essence of my problem, moved the call to the security Department. Here I was praised for something I did not succumb to the tricks of fraudsters. By the way, according to the operator, the day they receive hundreds of calls from iPhone and iPad owners, who, like me, were victims of ransomware. He also said that the criminals even after people will transfer money to them, leave it with the nose”.

Official password recovery procedure took about an hour. During this time, the girl had to prove that she is the owner of the device. You need to call the name of the user to answer secret questions that were asked when you registered the Apple ID, etc.

Strictly following the instructions of the technical support staff, Barbara unblocked, finally, device. However, after hacking all apps, photos, contacts were lost. Managed to return only what was saved in iCloud.

How is the lock

Here’s how it works: you turn on the device and it appears that it’s stolen. To unlock it, you need to enter a code, which the owner of the device knows. There is also a message that you have to pay money, and the code will be sent.

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How do they do it? All just hijacked your mail, tied to your Apple ID. It is easy to guess that scammers use to name the function Activation Lock remote locking devices. Caring developers Apple even implemented the ability to send messages on the locked screen of the smartphone – so the attackers passed the victims of ransom demands and payment details. Naturally, in order to access the Activation Lock, and lock the device remotely, the hackers have an Apple ID and password from him – most likely, they get it through hacking the e-mail.

The scheme is as follows: the attacker somehow gets access to the electronic mailbox of the victim and which is enshrined in the Apple ID. Next, the scammer asks for the password recovery function and thus has full access to management devices via iCloud.

For alarmists

The local service center confirmed that, indeed, many of our clients seek to unlock the Apple. “We call on people who either find someone else’s device or bought it from an unscrupulous seller. Usually we recommend to return the device to its rightful owner or to sell it for parts. But in recent months, help began to address the legitimate owners of the iPhone who “stole” Apple ID. Just say that to help him we can do nothing. In such cases, I suggest that you contact tech support of the company. In my opinion, this new type of fraud with the “hijacking” your Apple ID is designed for the alarmists, who immediately hasten to pay extortionists. For literate people who understand how the system works, lock your smartphone or tablet is just a temporary inconvenience,” he shared with us in the service.

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Our advice: in no case do not transfer money to fraudsters, and even write a statement to the police about the illegal encroachment on your device and extortion of money.

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