My iTunes account was hacked, but Apple insists it was a failure on my part. As a previous APS/APP (Apple Product Professional) who once represented Apple, I am galled at being treated like an internet-vulnerable halfwit regarding the hazards of personal computer security practices.
Three years after the start of the wave of exploited accounts, the criminal activities have grown exponentially, yet Apple still refuses to give its clients a response other than an accusation of 'bad user password implementation'... in other words, not accepting the fact that there is an incursion problem on their iTunes servers.
The email customer support department (they refuse to address iTunes complaints by any other means), as well as the in-store 'geniuses' and staff are restricted to commenting or instructing the public to the exact letter of a dictatorial script of Apple's design, so expect the utmost consistency in the party line. Seek and learn for yourself.
Many, many thousands of other users who suffered the same fate as I are already documented on the internet (Google search it or follow along the links in my videos).
"50,000 stolen iTunes accounts up for auction in China" - BBC News, Geek.com, et al
This single day, single incident occurrence is barely a few months old. The problem has gotten much worse since then. Until every iTunes user is made aware of how to protect themselves from this problem and acts accordingly, there is no telling how many more will be hit. iTunes is the biggest outlet for digital music in the world by a staggering majority, as are the iPod and iOS devices that connect to it (by sheer numbers over any competitors' device), so it stands to reason this big soft target is an easily-upset golden egg.
Come on people, DO NOT continue ignorantly funding organized overseas criminals by letting your CC or PayPal companies cover the losses! Stop the fraud before it happens. The media have yet to inform you, Apple never will, and the computer media pundits havent bothered to address it to the extent that it needs to be covered (shame on you Macworld et al).
Since no one else is enlightening you of the problem and a remedy, I will. And its blazingly simple and easy to put into practice. Current information as of late June 2011.
This is half of a two-part instructional series that will guide you audibly and visually through removing access to Apple of your PayPal or Credit Card information, to the betterment and safety of your pocketbook. If you have Gift Cards, there is brief mention of how to use them to the maximum extent of their value, hopefully leaving the criminals with very little to steal.
So far the separate entity called the Apple Store has not been exposed as having the same gaping security hole that the iTunes Store has proven to have, but I am not one to take the second chance. I now treat Apple's security level in the same regards as Sony's after the famous Sony Corp. double-hack and theft of 2011.
Neither corporation will ever have my personal finances in their hands again for more than the two minutes it takes to make a purchase.
For any fellow long-term Macintosh and Apple user (since 1984 here), it is possible to have two store accounts that are completely different, and in the case of the Apple Store, even more likely you have a US account. This is from before the time when your own country was assigned its personal Apple Store online, and only the US account was available (exceptions may vary but I have both still). CLEAN THEM ALL UP.
For instructions on how to approach that task, check the other half of this two part instructional series called "How To Protect Yourself From Apple Online Store Account Abuse!"
Choose 480p and up for sharpest detail of tiny text.
