Apple Defends Its iCloud

Today, after the recent leak of celebrity nude photos (reminiscent of the Paris Hilton T-Mobile Sidekick hack in 2005), Apple Inc. issued a statement reassuring its customers. Apple claims that their service, iCloud, which is used to store photos and videos online, has not been hacked, as previously thought. Apple claims that these attacks were targeted at specific celebrities, such as Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton. The celebrity accounts were “compromised by a very targeted attack on user names, passwords and security questions, a practice that is all too common on the Internet,” the Cupertino, California-based company said in a statement today.

“When we learned of the theft, we were outraged and immediately mobilized Apple’s engineers to discover the source,” Apple said. “Our customers’ privacy and security are of utmost importance to us.” The company is also collaborating with the federal law enforcement in identifying the attackers.

Apple also advises the users to follow these steps to prevent their accounts from being compromised:

  • Use stronger passwords, including having at least eight characters
  • Passwords should have at least one number, one letter, one capital letter.
  • Use passwords that you have not used in the prior year.
  • Use 2-step verification.

Apple says security and privacy are very important to them and are working on implementing new security measures to ensure their users feel safe. Especially when the company is about to release new services and features, such as the new iPhone’s ability to make payments, and the company’s new HealthKit software that will serve as a clearinghouse for health and fitness related information.