Hackers Demand Ransom for Allegedly Stolen iCloud Data

A group of hackers claims to have breached Apple's iCloud platform and gained access to hundreds of millions of user accounts. If Apple doesn't pay a ransom, the hackers say they will remotely wipe the accounts.

The hackers, who call themselves the "Turkish Crime Family," are asking for $75,000 worth of bitcoin or Ethereum, or $100,000 in iTunes gift cards, Motherboard reported on Wednesday. To encourage Apple to pay, the hackers are seeking publicity by sending screenshots of alleged emails between them and Apple's security team to media outlets.

The hackers are threatening to reset some of the stolen iCloud accounts and remotely wipe victims' devices if Apple doesn't pay by April 7, according to Motherboard, which reported that the hackers didn't share any evidence of millions of hacked iCloud accounts other than a video of them allegedly logging into some of the accounts.

Apple downplayed the severity of the extortion attempt on Wednesday, suggesting that the hackers guessed iCloud login credentials based on passwords from data breaches of other companies' software that was leaked online. The company said it is working with law enforcement to identify the hackers.

"There have not been any breaches in any of Apple's systems including iCloud and Apple ID," Apple said in a statement. "The alleged list of email addresses and passwords appears to have been obtained from previously compromised third-party services."

Among the emails provided to Motherboard were a few from Apple's security team, which asked the hackers "to share a sample of the data set" and informed them that "we do not reward cyber criminals for breaking the law."

Although hijacking accounts and demanding ransoms is not uncommon, the Apple extortion is unusual both for the size of the alleged breach and the relatively low ransom amount the hackers are demanding. Recent successful ransomware attacks have targeted lesser-known victims like hospitals and received millions of dollars in ransom payments.

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Still, the extortion is a good reminder that even Apple, whose systems thoroughly protect user data, is still a target for hackers seeking ransoms. It's also a good reminder to change the password of your iCloud account and set up two-factor authentication.

Editor's Note: This story was updated with comment from Apple.