The Australian Apple Hack That Locks iPhones Has Spread To The US

Flickr/Bruno Sanchez-Andrade Nuño

Earlier this week, a number of Australians were reporting that they were locked out of their Apple devices after being hacked remotely by someone who goes by the name of Olig Pliss.

A new report from CBS Los Angeles shows that the hack has spread to the U.S.

The hacker is accessing iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers through the Find My iPhone feature. This can be done by figuring out a user's Apple ID login information and then accessing Find My iPhone from iCloud.com. He then locks down the device and demands that owners pay $50 to $100 through PayPal in order to regain control.

The hack has crossed over to Southern California, with Nathan Sohm from Victorville, California, reporting that he has been victim to the Pliss hack.

"I thought it was a joke, and I was like 'Yeah yeah, whatever', and went to open my phone, and nothing," Sohm told CBS Los Angeles.

There have also been a few reports in Apple's support thread that demonstrate other cases of the hack in the U.S.

A user named wheelman2188 posted:

Another user named Loonbeam1 posted:

Those affected by the hack are advised to contact Apple to have them restore the device, but they are likely to lose everything that is stored on the device in the process. Sohm therefore encourages everyone to back up their devices.

And make sure that you use a really strong password.

Here's the full story from CBS Los Angeles: