Hacking threat to every iPhone
CRIMINALS could take control of every iPhone in the world via text message, owners are being warned. Hackers could exploit a newly discovered flaw in Apples handset, rendering it defenceless against attack, security researchers said. All they would have to do is send a string of text messages containing just one square character. However, the victim would see only one text message in their inbox. If the user did not turn off the iPhone immediately, the messages would allow the hacker to control the mobiles key functions dial ling numbers, surfing the internet and sending texts. Infection would take only a few minutes, it is claimed. Charlie Miller, one of the experts who found the problem, said: Some one could pretty quickly take over every iPhone in the world with this. Its scary. Mr Miller and his colleague, Collin Mulliner, from Independent Security Evaluators, demonstrated how the flaw would work at a cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas last night. They said the hack would work on iPhones everywhere all a criminal would need was the phone number. After taking control of the iPhone, the hacker could use it to carry out identity theft as well as getting free access to the internet, calls and texts.
It is thought to be the first time it has been shown that crooks can take control of an iPhone using text messages. Mr Miller is renowned for exposing security flaws in popular devices in 2007, he was the first person to remotely hack into an iPhone. On that occasion, however, victims had to visit a malicious website. The researchers claimed to have informed Apple two weeks ago but the company has not released a patch to combat the breach, even though hackers would need just two weeks to de vise software to exploit the flaw. Mr Mulliner added: The bad guys are going to do it no matter what. Apple has sold 21million iPhones, including more than 1million in Britain.
iPhone?
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iPhone?
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