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Malware developer can make 256 valid developer IDs, compute 256 signatures and switch them automatically and randomly during the propagation of malware. Once Apple blacklists one developer ID, another one pops out, and so malware continues to propagate.


I would imagine that Apple can also say "this developer ID is owned by this person, and we just blacklisted another one owned by them", then proceed to blacklist all of the IDs they've generated


That would cost $25,600 and require 256 valid Social Security or DUNS numbers.


Alternatively, it would require compromising the machines of 256 Apple developers. Guess what kind of person is likely to be capable of doing that.


Still, it's not as easy as the person I was replying to made it sound.

How many Macs would you have to compromise before you randomly stumble upon a registered developer, let alone a registered Mac developer (of which there are far fewer than iOS developers)? And how much more secure is a developer's machine likely to be, and how much less is the user of such a machine likely to fall for common email attachment-based infection attempts?

At some point, the feasibility is low enough not to bother. That's what all security ultimately is, since nothing is foolproof.




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