Hackers claim Apple security breach

The data was not linked to the more than 200m customer credit cards stored on the iTunes online store. The server collected survey information and therefore might have only limited use for criminals.

Nonetheless, the breach showed that a recent wave of cyberattacks designed in part to embarrass big companies would continue, even without Lulz Security , the pioneering group that drew wide attention for a similar, 50-day spree.

A potential Apple breach was publicised through a Twitter message from AnonymousIRC, one of many accounts associated with the cyberactivist collective Anonymous.