Apple denies iCloud security breach in Hollywood nude photo leak

Apple said there were no security issues and that its online storage system had not been attacked in the wake of the Hollywood nude photo leak, which flooded the Internet with nude photos of stars such as Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence.

“After more than 40 hours of investigation, we determined that certain celebrity accounts were compromised through a highly targeted attack on usernames, passwords and security questions, a practice that has become all too common on the Internet,” Apple said in a statement on Tuesday.

Read more: Jennifer Lawrence's representatives react to leaked photos

“None of the cases we investigated resulted from a breach of any of Apple's systems, including iCloud or Find my iPhone. We continue to work with law enforcement to identify the criminals involved.”

The photos, which leaked over the weekend and also included shots of Selena Gomez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kate Upton and Kirsten Dunst, spread quickly despite efforts to stop people from looking at the photos.

Although no one has been officially arrested or charged in connection with the hacking scandal, some victims quickly accused Apple of being partly responsible for the breach.

“Thanks iCloud,” Dunst tweeted on Monday, adding pizza and poop emoticons to her message.

Although the hack had nothing to do with iCloud security, Apple is actively participating in the investigation to increase consumer confidence in the brand. Rumor has it that the iPhone 6 will be released this month.

“We take user privacy very seriously and are actively investigating this report,” Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told CNN.

Other stars affected by the scandal are sharply attacking the perpetrators behind the hacker attack.

“Knowing these photos were deleted long ago, I can only imagine the creepy effort that went into this,” tweeted actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead. “I feel for anyone who was hacked.”

The breach was traced back to the message board communities Reddit and 4chan, with 4chan being known for its trolling.

It is believed that the photos were circulating for weeks or even months before they were publicly uploaded, as part of a nude photo-sharing ring active on several websites, including the 4chan offshoot AnonIB.

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Photo credit: AP/PA