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'Singer Worm' Hits iPhones

Wallpaper switched in first virus to hit popular phones

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2009 1:45 AM CST

(Newser) – The first virus to hit iPhones is substituting users' wallpaper with a portrait of 80's pop star Rick Astley and the warning: "Ikee is never going to give you up." The virus isn't harming anything else, but observers say it's a warning that hackers have learned how to hit the popular phones. So far the virus, known as ikee, has only been spotted in Australia and only in "jailbroken" phones in which users have removed built-in Apple blocks to outside software.

Officials have already tracked down the hacker, a 21-year-old Wollongong resident who said he came up with the idea out of boredom. Officials haven't yet indicated what charges he may face. The hacker's advice to iPhone users? Change your password—now. Singer Rick Astley's career enjoyed an Internet bounce last year when he was the subject of another "rickrolling" stunt that tricked Internet users into watching a video of his hit Never Gonna Give You Up.

Pop star Rick Astley waves from a Macy's Thanksgiving float in New York last year.
Pop star Rick Astley waves from a Macy's Thanksgiving float in New York last year.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
In the first virus to hit iPhones, callers' wallpaper is being replaced by a portrait of singer Rick Astley and a warning.
In the first virus to hit iPhones, callers' wallpaper is being replaced by a portrait of singer Rick Astley and a warning.   (Apple)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
mehrheit
Nov 11, 2009 12:54 PM CST
Thanks, dick! ;-)
riffran
Nov 10, 2009 12:32 PM CST
"rick -rolled" taken to a whole new level I see
paul123
Nov 10, 2009 10:00 AM CST
Now THAT'S funny!

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Apple Patches iPhone Security Concerns

Web Trick Revives Rick Astley

Pro Hackers Take Bite At Apple


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