The username/password dump has been verified as legitimate, and the hacking has caused Foxconn to close off access to the affected servers. While the login dumps are certainly significant, it is currently unclear as to whether any other sensitive data has been leaked as a result of this. You can read SwaggSec’s full public statement regarding the incident below:

/* Don’t Wanna Read? No problem skip to end. */

______ ______
/ _____) / _____)
( (____ _ _ _ _____ ____ ____( (____ _____ ____
\____ \| | | (____ |/ _ |/ _ |\____ \| ___ |/ ___)
_____) ) | | / ___ ( (_| ( (_| |_____) ) ____( (___
(______/ \___/\_____|\___ |\___ (______/|_____)\____)
(_____(_____|

## Hacking Today for an Entertaining Tomorrow.

Users of Cyberspace,

So Foxconn thinks they got ‘em some swagger because they work with the Big Boys from Intel, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple? Fool, You don’t know what swagger is. They say you got your employees all worked up, committing suicide ‘n stuff. They say you hire chinese workers ’cause you think the taiwanese are elite. We got somethin’ served up good…real good. Your not gonna’ know what hit you by the time you finish this release. Your company gonna’ crumble, and you deserve it.

Upon switching the radio from Nicki Minaj’s self-enforcing, lack of content, stereotypical song, “Stupid Hoe”; We switched on BBC Radio, the leading source of unbiased material. A short segment on the manufacturer giant Foxconn, came up reporting on the inhuman conditions the workers experience. A few days later an almost viral rumor about an Iphone 5 with a 4-inch screen being manufactured, as claimed by an employee from the infamous Foxconn. Now as a first impression Swagg Security would rather not deceive the public of our intentions. Although we are considerably disappointed of the conditions of Foxconn, we are not hacking a corporation for such a reason and although we are slightly interested in the existence of an Iphone 5, we are not hacking for this reason. We hack for the cyberspace who share a few common viewpoints and philosophies. We enjoy exposing governments and corporations, but the more prominent reason, is the hilarity that ensues when compromising and destroying an infrastructure. How unethical right? Perhaps for the layman who has conformed to a society raised by the government that actively seeks to maintain power and quell threats to their ventures. But to us and many others, the destruction of an infrastructure, the act of destruction that does not affect an individual, brings a sense of newfound content, a unique feeling, along with a new chance to start your own venture.
This is Swagg Security, we aim to to reshape your perspectives, our perspectives, by the inducing of entertainment. A unique approach to spreading a unique philosophy which brings the sought after tranquility. In a way we are “hacktivist”, but in our own views we are Greyhats. We believe there is no reality in hacktivism, even with good intentions. We know those who claim to be “hacktivists” that inside of you, a suppressed part of you, enjoys playing a part in the anarchist event of hacking of an infrastructure. One which at the same time presents a challenge, upon completing reveals an almost unknown feeling of a menacing satisfaction. We encourage not to continue quelling such a natural emotion but to embrace it. Only when embracing what society has taught you to hinder, is when you realize your own identity.

We encourage media, security experts, and other interested individuals to explore our leaks. Foxconn did have an appropriate firewall, but fortunately to our intent, we were able to bypass it almost flawlessly. Of course with funding ourselves we did have our limitations. But with several hacking techniques employed, and a couple of days in time, we were able to dump most of everything of significance. We now appropriately give consent to other individuals reading this release, to scavenge through the leaks acquiring usernames and passwords; while attempting to find if they use the passwords anywhere else. Remember damage is bliss. Without further undue, the leaks.

The Hackers with Swagger,
Swagg Security

Note: The passwords inside these files could allow individuals to make fraudulent orders under big companies like Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Intel, and Dell. Be careful ; )

Torrent to Foxconn Leak and Dump(Please Seed):
-:- http://thepiratebay.se/torrent/7016541/Foxconn_Leaked___-_Swagg_Security_- -:-

http://twitter.com/SwaggSec

Via [9to5 Mac]

Halliburton has used RIM’s Blackberrys for more than 10 years, but AppleInsider has learned they will phase out thousands of Blackberrys in favor of the iPhone over the next two years.

According to an internal newsletter obtained by AppleInsider, Halliburton conducted “significant research” and came to the conclusion that “the iOS platform offered the best capabilities, controls and security for application development.” Later, a spokeswoman confirmed the company has about 4,500 employees using Blackberrys and is “engaged with Apple on this transition.”

The biggest reason for Halliburton to make the switch to iPhones is the security it offers, known collectively as mobile device management (MDM). In iOS 4 and 5, the MDM management software collects information about every iPhone (including what apps have been installed), ensuring OS updates are implemented, and to determine if a device has been jailbroken. All iOS devices running iOS 4 or 5 support MDM, and it works the same way on every iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The potential for installing malicious apps is also addressed since iOS devices that aren’t jailbroken can only download apps from Apple or from a selection of apps developed by the company.

Apple has been making significant progress in being accepted and used in the enterprise market. Recently, Apple’s Peter Oppenheimer noted that “nearly all” of the Fortune 500 companies now approve and support iPhones on their networks. The iPad is viewed by many as a standard business tool, as this Bloomberg article highlights, and Apple is hiring more people to work with specific industries that use the iPad, in part because CEO Tim Cook is more willing to work with enterprise customers.

Via [AppleInsider]

Apple has hired some surprising executives recently which not only show Tim Cook’s leadership style, but also his vision for Apple’s future.

Tim Cook replaced Ron Johnson as Senior VP of Retail with former Dixons Retail CEO John Browett, which prompted a lot of feedback about how this was a really bad idea; Dixons has a low reputation for service, as discussed at MacRumors. However, Tim Cook is standing behind his choice in his email response to a letter he received from blogger and photographer Tony Hart. In it, he says about John Browett, in part, “His role isn’t to bring Dixons to Apple, its to bring Apple to an even higher level of customer service and satisfaction.” Whether or not this is the right decision remains to be seen, but it shows that Tim Cook is standing firm behind his decisions even in the face of criticism.

Apple has also hired three people who have worked in the game industry. As Macgasm notes, Apple first hired Nick Grange, a former Activision, EA, and Xbox PR executive who will promote Apple’s hardware. Then it was Nintendo PR boss Robert Saunders, who will promote apps on iPad, iPod and iPhone. Now, it’s Robin Burrowes, a former Microsoft employee who was in charge of Xbox Live. Robin Burrowes will be head of its App Store Marketing for iTunes Europe.

Hiring executives with gaming industry experience is thought to be particularly important because of Apple’s growing influence in the gaming industry. As this post from Flurry Blog shows, iOS and Android have overtaken Sony’s and Nintendo’s marketshare for mobile games.

While Apple didn’t intend to be a major player in the gaming market when it released the iPhone, it appears from these recent hires they are prepared to take full advantage of that fact.

• This is a convoluted tale of insurance woes when Apple renovated a subway station near a new Apple store in Chicago. A woman was walking in the construction site, fell and broke her hip 19 days before the insurance coverage started. Apple, Pepper Construction Company, and the Chicago Transit Authority sued Colony Insurance Company since they were denied coverage after the woman sued them. Colony Insurance Company sued in return saying they didn’t have to pay and the Chicago Transit Authority wasn’t part of the insurance anyway. If you want the details, go to Apple Insider.
• Taiwanese site Apple.pro had a picture of what they said was going to be the new dock and ribbon connector cable for Apple’s iPad 3 tablet (see image above). Unfortunately, the supplier in charge of the part is suing the website according to this Google translated page.
• In Appletell’s lawsuit wrap-up for December 2011, we reported that Apple was fined $1.2 million in Italy for not letting their customers know about the EU-mandated two-year warranty. Apple has since updated the Italian Apple Store with a link to the court decision. Whether Apple will appeal the fine is unknown.
• Kodak has been suing many companies over patents lately in a desperate attempt to stay in business. Recently it sued Apple who has responded with claims that it owns the patents in question.
• Apple and Elan Microelectronics have been fighting over patents for a while. Even though the International Trade Commission sided with Apple last year, they reached an agreement where Apple pays Elan $5 million and they agree to share the patents.
• Apple, Google, and five other technology companies face a lawsuit for violating antitrust laws when they made an informal agreement to not poach each other’s employees. The judge in the case wants to see detailed information about the agreements made, and the resulting damages could be hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Apple has appealed after a judge decided they didn’t have the right to use the iPad name in China.
• Motorola is suing Apple again over some patents used on the iPhone 4S and iCloud related to wireless antennae, messaging, data filtering, and other software technologies.
• In October 2011, Apple won a patent “detailing the method of sliding an onscreen mark to unlock the iOS operating system on a mobile device,” and now they’re using it against Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus. However, this patent is a utility model registration which doesn’t come under the same level of scrutiny as a traditional patent application, and might not hold up in court.
• Apple is reported to have spent $100 million in its many battles against HTC.
• Samsung is under investigation by the European Commission to determine if their use of standard-essential FRAND patents as leverage in their ongoing lawsuit battle against Apple violates EU antitrust laws. This follows losses Samsung has suffered in Europe, including Germany upholding the ban of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and dismissing their second 3G patent lawsuit against Apple. However, they did win a victory in the Netherlands where a court has ruled that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 doesn’t infringe on Apple’s designs.

Through interviews with those whoare closely associated with the company, from Apple’s management team to their board members, Inside Apple shows us how the company functions internally. This book is certainly a perfect choice for anyone who aspires to pursue a career with Apple or is just genuinely interested in how the company maintains its success through smart business choices, as well as the creation of such innovative and amazing products that the public knows them for to this day.

If Apple’s corporate culture is something that sparks your interest for whatever reason, Inside Apple by Adam Lashinsky is a book you’ll want to pick up and take the time to read. You can do so now by purchasing your copy on the iTunes iBookstore or the retailer of your choice for only $12.99.

Via [TUAW]

These numbers are right around double the $26.74 billion and net quarterly profit of $6 billion, or $6.43 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 58 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

These numbers come from 37.04 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 128 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple also sold 15.43 million iPads during the quarter (up 111%),  5.2 million Macs (up 26%) and 15.4 million iPods (down 21%).

Apple CEO Time Cook used words like “thrilled” and “outstanding” and “incredibly strong” when discussing Apple’s results and momentum, but most importantly, “… we have some amazing new products in the pipeline.”

That’s what we like to hear, Tim.

Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer offers the understatement of the year at this point by saying, “We are very happy to have generated over $17.5 billion in cash flow from operations during the December quarter.”

So are your shareholders, Peter.

To listen the to the Apple Financial Results Conference Call recorded earlier today, visit Apple’s press library.

Appletell recently reported on a rumor concerning Apple purchasing Anobit, a maker of flash controllers. While Israeli media reported the purchase for as much as $500 million on December 20th, Apple declined to comment at the time. In an email to Reuters, Apple confirmed they did, in fact, purchase Anobit without verifying the purchase price.

“Yes … we did buy Anobit,” Apple spokesman Alan Hely said, declining to elaborate. “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

Anobit has developed a chip that enhances flash drive performance through signal processing. According to Reuters, it’s already incorporated in Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad and the MacBook Air.

Target recently unveiled The Shops at Target which will feature collections to be sold exclusively through Target, both in stores and on their website, starting in early May. Collections will initially include items from Polka Dog Bakery, The Webster, The Candy Store, Cos Bar, and Privet House. After approximately six weeks there will be new collections for the Fall, and the previous collections will become unavailable for purchase.

While Target confirmed that Apple will have special displays, there was no other information made available. Will there be limited-time items that you can only buy at Target similar to the other collections? Will you be able to get your Apple products repaired or ask an Apple employee for assistance? Or will these special displays just have a way to use Apple products before purchasing them?

We’ll likely have to wait until early May to learn all of the details.

Via [Reuters]

On Thursday, January 19th at 10 a.m. EST, Apple will hold an event at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City to make an education announcement.

According to 9 to 5 Mac, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue will likely announce new iBook or textbook products or services. This makes sense since Steve Jobs told Walter Isaacson he wanted to disrupt the school textbook industry.

He held meetings with major publishers about partnering with Apple, the book says. If textbooks were given away free on iPads he thought the publishers could get around the state certification of textbooks. Mr. Isaacson said Mr. Jobs believed that states would struggle with a weak economy for at least a decade. “We can give them an opportunity to circumvent that whole process and save money,” he told Mr. Isaacson.

Via [9 to 5 Mac]

Not everyone is fortunate to live in areas that have a large enough population to warrant an Apple store being built. You can always buy online, but what if you want to see the product before you make your purchasing decision? If there’s a Target nearby, you may be in luck; Apple is rumored to be opening a store-within-a-store inside Target at certain locations later this year.

AppleInsider received this information from a “source familiar with Apple’s plans” who said Apple will start by opening 25 stores inside larger Target stores in areas that can’t support an Apple store. If this goes well, perhaps Apple will open more stores at some of Target’s other 1,752 locations in the United States. No information was provided as to where the initial 25 stores would be located.

Target already sells many Apple products, including the iPod and iPad, as well as the iPhone in stores with Target Mobile sales centers. With the Apple store-within-a-store, they would also be able to sell other Apple products such as the iMac, MacBook, and Cinema Display. Unfortunately, the source didn’t share any knowledge as to what the stores would be like.

Currently, Apple has stores within over 600 Best Buy locations, which could make one wonder why Apple would expand to Target as well. Perhaps Apple wants to add some competition, or maybe it’s because of the rumors that Best Buy is going out of business. It could also be that Best Buy doesn’t have stores in locations Apple wo which Apple wants to expand.

Regardless, it’s always good to see Apple products in more stores because being able to see the products in person is the best way to sell them to someone who may be considering moving over from Windows or Android.

Via [AppleInsider]