Hacked? Thanks for nothing Apple.

Question

Level 1

9 points

Hacked? Thanks for nothing Apple.

On the 1st of October, 2 of my 4 iPads were hacked.

2 were connected to wifi

2 were not connected to wifi.

It is hacked by some russians, and they provided an email: forgotapple6@gmail.com.
I emailed them, they asked for $50 bitcoins transfer to some address to get a password to access my iPad again.

Prior to this, I called Apple, and they weren't really helpful as I have to have a proof of purchase for 2 of my iPads which, one of them I bought years ago online, and of course I threw away the receipt for the other. Plus, Apple sales team couldn't send me my receipt for the iPad which I purchased online because they don't work weekends.

Anyhow, I suspected that if i connected my 3rd iPad to the wifi, the same thing would happen. And it did. However, my third iPad has a passcode on it, so I could still access it. The 2 iPads that have been hacked are fixed now, by factory restoring. The downside is that I lost all my photos over the years.

Yes I do not back up my iPads because iTunes really *****.

I really hope that Apple can improve their service. I spent 33minutes and 4seconds on the phone with their representative and he needs me to give him a proof of purchase to unlock my iPad. Furthermore, when I logged into iCloud, all my iPads were there. Thanks for helping me lose all my photos.

iPad Pro, iOS 10.0.1

Posted on Oct 2, 2016 1:56 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 2, 2016 3:24 AM in response to zqlimy

Hi

When you charge an iPhone / ipad it should be backed up automatically to iCloud

Over you WiFi go to settings iCloud check date of last backup

Then when you need to factory reset when setting back up it will ask if you want to use

Icloud backup you just say yes .

If you have lost some apps even paid ones use same apple ID then you can download again free.

Cheers

Brian

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Answer 2

zqlimy Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 2, 2016 3:26 AM in response to Briansyddall

Thanks but I disabled icloud because it's annoying when it syncs and slows the whole iPad down. And, icloud storage is limited, and I don't know what is synced. I just checked my icloud, the last backup was in 2013

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Answer 3

Oct 2, 2016 5:16 AM in response to zqlimy

Hi

You get 5G of iCloud storage free i pay £0.79p per month for 50G

I think its worth it.

Cheers

Brian

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Answer 4

Oct 2, 2016 5:35 AM in response to zqlimy

Your iPads weren't hacked. Your Apple ID was hacked, probably because you had an easy to guess passcode or used the same passcode you used for your Yahoo account. You need to contact Apple Account Security.

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support

Once you get your situation resolved, you should turn on two-factor authentication on your account.

Note: none of this was Apple's fault. And, Apple is protecting everyone who has an Apple ID by requiring definitive proof before unlocking an account.

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Answer 5

Oct 2, 2016 7:17 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Apple is also requiring definitive proof of ownership of a device before unlocking it. A few years ago it was too easy for somebody to steal a device then just erase it and have a working device ready for resale. Now you have to prove to Apple you are the real owner of a device.

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Answer 6

Oct 2, 2016 7:33 PM in response to Limnos

I remember reading, with horror and fascination, the story of the journalist who's Apple ID was hacked and his who digital life up-ended. And all because some hackers wanted his twitter handle.

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