Apple approves iOS 9 app that blocks ads in Facebook, Apple News

When a similar app, Adblock Plus, attempted to block ads in-app on Android, Google removed it from the store saying that it “interferes with or accesses another service or product in an unauthorised manner”.

Apple has released a statement on how users will be able to defend themselves against the YiSpector malware on iPhones and iPads.

YiSpecter consists of four different components that are signed with enterprise certificates.

The discovery of YiSpecter follows the WireLurker malware infection – identified in November – which also targeted non-jailbroken iOS devices by using enterprise certificates.

So while Apple may be catering to consumers’ growing disgust with invasive and disruptive online advertisements by supporting ad-blocking technology in its newly released mobile operating system, iOS 9, it seems that allowing an app like Been Choice to actually block ads in native apps – and in particular, Apple’s own News app – goes against Apple’s own best interests. Marketers have a great concern regarding the move of Apple since the new app hides paid surveys operation too. This is the first time that Apple devices running on iOS have been hit by a malware despite tight security. Currently, it is being detected by only one of VirusTotal’s AV engines, Chinese antivirus company Qihoo, which had also reported on it back in February 2015.

It is unclear whether Apple even knew the feature was included in Been Choice when it approved the app. The company has not replied to a request for comment, but the Guardian understands from developer testimony that the app-store approval process is frequently minimal.

Moreover, App Splicing also allows iPhone users downloading an app or game to download only those assets required at that point of time.

But where Been Choice differs from those apps is its addition of a second mode, which allows users to block ads in apps as well as the mobile browser.

Last month, another malware called XcodeGhost infected nearly 40 popular apps in the Chinese App Store, which is very uncommon because Apple first subjects apps to strict security. A new bit of malware named YiSpecter discovered by security firm Palo Alto Networks uses the private API of the iOS to infect even devices that haven’t been jailbroken.

Palo Alto Networks’ blog post has more information on YiSpecter, as well as detailed steps for removing it from devices.