Anonymous claims to have hacked Apple

Hacktivist group Anonymous has claimed it has hacked into an Apple corporate server, posting usernames and encrypted passwords to a public web site.

In a message posted via one of its Twitter accounts, the group claimed that the attack was "not... so serious".

"Not being so serious, but well #Apple could be target, too. But don't worry, we are busy elsewhere. #AntiSec," the Twitter message read.

The details the group says it has taken appear to have been obtained from a database relating to an Apple business intelligence web site.

The Antisec campaign, referenced in the tweet, was originally launched by Lulzsec, a group of hackers thought to have their origins within Anonymous, who now claim to have stopped their operations, at least under the Lulzsec name.

It is believed that a combination of law enforcement investigation and the threat of an imminent outing of their real identities by other hackers is behind Lulzsec's retirement.

The Antisec campaign's purpose is to expose poor security in corporate and government networks, with Sony, the CIA and the UK's Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) among the embarrassed organisations thus far.

Apple was not available for comment at the time of writing.