Mac App Store Attacked By HackersMac App Store Attacked By Hackers

It's only been open for about 24 hours, but Apple's online Mac App Store has already been hit by hackers, according to reports.

One well-known group, which operates under the name "Hackulous", claims it's developed a program, called Kickback, that breaks the copy protection in applications distributed through the Mac App Store.

A spokesman for the group who goes by the name "Dissident" told the BBC that Hackulous will wait until the Mac App Store is well stocked with apps before it releases Kickback on the Internet. "We're not going to release Kickback until well after the store's been established. We don't want to devalue applications and frustrate developers," Dissident said, according to the BBC.

Software pirates have also reportedly found that paid apps downloaded from the Mac App Store can, in some cases, run free of charge simply by copying and pasting in the receipt number from a free app.

Apple has not responded to the claims.

The company opened the Mac App Store Thursday, with an eye to recreating the successful iPhone app distribution model on the Mac. The store is now available to shoppers in the U.S. and 89 other countries. There's apps—both paid and free—in a number of categories, including games, education, graphics & design, lifestyle, productivity, and utilities.

"With more than 1,000 apps, the Mac App Store is off to a great start," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs, in a statement. "We think users are going to love this innovative new way to discover and buy their favorite apps," said Jobs.

To download the Mac App Store client software, users need ensure they're running Mac OS X (Snow Leopard) v10.6.6. As with the iPhone store, developers who sell their apps through the Mac App Store will get to keep 70% of the profits. They also do not have to pay any hosting, marketing, or credit card processing fees.