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Threats To Apple Device On Rise: Symantec

By Peter R | Update Date: Dec 14, 2015 02:02 PM EST

Apple users cannot afford to remain complacent in security of their devices, as the number threats are rising claims a new report from security firm Symantec.

Referring to the report, BBC wrote that in the first ten months of 2015, Symantec found the number of OS X computers affected in by malware was seven times higher than the number in 2014. The number however is far less than the number of Windows computers affect.

"Although the number of threats targeting Apple operating systems remains quite low when compared to the company's main competitors (Windows in the desktop space and Android in mobile), the amount uncovered has grown steadily in recent years. In tandem with this, the level of Apple-related malware infections has spiked, particularly in the past 18 months," security expert Dick O'Brien wrote in the report's overview.

Quartz reports that seven new iOS malware threats were detected this year by Symantec, more than twice the number in 2014. In the report, Brien describes XcodeGhost, one of the most serious security breaches that resulted in hosting of apps with Trojan codes. The number of threats is significantly small compared to Android but the risk of infection has increased over the years, mainly on device that are jailbroken. The report also said that the number of vulnerabilities being detected every year has continuously increased.

"The success of Apple devices has generated increased interest among attackers, as a growing number of malicious actors are developing threats for Apple platforms," Brien concluded.

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