Apple issues security warning after Chinese hackers target iCloud

HOT on the heels of the celebrity nude photos leak scandal, Apple has issued a security warning over Chinese hackers targeting iCloud users.

APPLE has issued a security warning for iCloud users saying that it is aware of “intermittent organised network attacks” on its online network.

The security warning follows a blog report by Greatfire.org, which monitors Chinese internet censorship, that says Beijing-backed hackers have been using “man-in-the-middle” attacks that dupe people into giving away their usernames and password and giving unauthorised access to their documents, photos and emails.

ICLOUD HACK: How safe are your pictures?

HACKED: Jennifer Lawrence nude photos leaked

In its blog, Greatfire.org notes that the increase in Chinese hacker attacks on the iCloud coincides with the release of the iPhone 6 in China and the Hong Kong protests.

In the attacks, the hackers put a fake website between the user and the legitimate web address, so that the user’s information passes to the hacker on the way to its proper destination.

Victim ... Celebrities including Jennifer Lawrence (pictured) had naked images leaked from their iCloud accounts earlier this year. Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images

In its security warning, Apple says the hacking attack does not compromise iCloud servers but that it is “deeply committed to protecting our customers’ privacy and security”.

“If users get an invalid certificate warning in their browser while visiting www.icloud.com, they should pay attention to the warning and not proceed,” the Apple security warning says.

“Users should never enter their Apple ID or password into a website that presents a certificate warning. To verify that they are connected to the authentic iCloud website, users can check the contents of the digital certificate as shown below for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox — each of which provides both certificate information and warnings.”

The full Apple security update has more details on how to verify users are connected to a legitimate site.

Apple has moved to improve its cloud security since the recent high-profile case in which a string of Hollywood celebrities including Jennifer Lawrence had naked images leaked from their iCloud accounts.