The Latest in IT Security

By Edwin Chan and Thuy Ong SAN FRANCISCO/SYDNEY (Reuters) – Multiple users on Apple Incs online support forum and Twitter have reported an unusual smartphone and tablet hack in which cyber attackers were said to have locked Australian users smartphones and demanded payment in return for unlocking them. The alleged cyber attackers, first reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, appeared to use Apples Find My Phone feature to lock the devices screens and send a message demanding money be sent to a PayPal account, according to multiple users. Apple, in response to inquiries about the hacking, confirmed there had been an incident. An Apple spokeswoman in Sydney said by telephone Apple did not have any details on how widespread the incident was or whether it was contained to Australia.