iPhone Security Hole Plugged By Apple's Anti-Hacker iOS Software Update

BOSTON (Reuters) - Apple Inc has plugged a hole in the software that runs iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch music players that could allow hackers to take remote control of those devices.

The security flaw came to light nine days ago as the website www.jailbreakme.com released code that Apple customers can use to modify the iOS operating system that runs those devices through a process known as "jail breaking."

Some Apple customers choose to jail break their devices so they can download and run applications that are not approved by Apple or use iPhone phones on networks of carriers that are not approved by Apple.

The jailbreaking code exploited a vulnerability in iOS that had not previously been disclosed. Its release gave criminal hackers a blueprint they could use to build malicious software that would exploit the vulnerability.

Now that the security patch has been released, Apple customers will be protected against any such malware as long as they install the software updates on their equipment.

Security flaw in iOS software have the potential to affect millions of devices that are at the core of Apple's business.

Apple has sold 25 million iPads since it launched last year. The company sold over 18 million of its popular iPhones in just the first three months of the year.

(Reporting by Jim Finkle, editing by Bernard Orr)
Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions

Comments

[AlanBannacheck]

03:51 AM on 07/18/2011

I have an unlocked iphone because I am contracted with T-Mobile and I find it disheartening that they keep on trying to block this from happening. It's a right too choose which carrier you will use for any sort of mobile you buy.

[Julian23]

06:29 AM on 07/18/2011

I completely agree. I did the same thing and I'm completely agreeing with your logic. http://www.boobytech.com/unlocked-apple-iphone-4-available had a article showing some other routes to take. But ya, I agree....those options are dwindling down at an alarming rate!

[Pstein]

03:16 PM on 07/17/2011

This cracks me up. Get everyone on line doing everything "high Tech" and then find out every things hacked. Good deal.

[paradoja]

01:55 PM on 07/17/2011

Welp...guess I'll just have to wait till another jb comes out b4 I update.... Cydia is mandatory on my phone..lol

[LightShadow62]

01:18 AM on 07/17/2011

The harder Apple tries to keep iOS jailed the more hackers will turn their attention to the entire Apple line.

[BillClay]

09:55 PM on 07/16/2011

The people who brag about the Apple App Store having 500 million apps never bother to tell you that 499 million of them are unnecessary junk. Do we really need a million flatulence noise joke apps? Android has less apps, but all the major important apps are available for both iPhone and Android. Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Netflix, Hulu+, etc. are all available on both platforms.

[CaptainObvvious]

07:24 AM on 07/18/2011

But not for all devices, Netflix and Hulu+ for example are only available on a handful of Android devices. Even some brand new ones can't use the Netflix app.

[GeorgieMark]

02:59 PM on 07/18/2011

It's all firmware dependent i.e plain Vanilla Android devices (Nexus One and S) are supported. The problem lies with those infernal skins and custom UIs manufacturers fancy loading their devices with.

Google seem to have taken the hint and have started reigning in on the Android Far West.

But to be honest, I don't like apps all that much. As a user of both OSs after the initial thrill with apps was gone I never had to look at either store. I prefer using web apps, almost no compatibility issues less hassle with file transfers and more importantly cross platform!

[somearelost]

10:22 AM on 07/19/2011

Send in the fanboy

[Ronnie Avatar Dixon]

09:42 PM on 07/16/2011

In a sense, a jail breaking website helped Apple...

[jadeba]

08:27 PM on 07/16/2011

Love my apple products (iphone and ipad), they work and they are easy to use and understand. My ipad has pretty much replaced my laptop for travel. I don't know about Android but have a friend who is trashing hers asap in favor of an iphone. Don't really understand the animosity directed to Apple, but it sure is there.

[Robert Weller]

07:48 PM on 07/16/2011

i am not clear. do we download this ap or connect our iPhone to our Mac and get it that way?

[jadeba]

08:25 PM on 07/16/2011

Sounds like you just sync your phone to your computer!

[ChezeShot]

06:51 PM on 07/17/2011

Correct. Before the sync, a dialog box will appear, asking if you'd like to update.
If you're jailbroken, you'll lose your jailbreak.

[onasphere]

07:31 PM on 07/16/2011

If buying an Apple product was less like joining a church, I might buy an iPad.

[ChezeShot]

06:52 PM on 07/17/2011

You'd never be able to learn the secret handshake anyway.

[ArtCarnage]

06:45 PM on 07/16/2011

This has nothing to do with preventing people from "taking over" your phone, and everything to do with Apple's iron-fisted campaign to prevent people from using *their own property* as they wish. Just one more check mark in the "evil" column for Apple. They long-ago surpassed Microsoft in this regard.

[FreeRange]

09:22 PM on 07/16/2011

What utter nonsense. You have no idea what you are talking about. First, you do not "own" the OS, you use it under license based on the terms of service which you agree to. Second, users have unbelievable choice to customize their devices through the HUNDREDS of thousands of apps available, many of which compete with Apple's own paid services. Apps like Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, Kindle, etc. etc. Apple keeps tight control to maintain security and easy of use with a primary focus on best possible user experience. And the marketplace agrees to the tune of over 100 million users. It is hacks, who you seem to support, that create the problems. Jailbreaking the iPhone circumvents many of the security features of the device leaving the potential for extreme abuse / problems for the user. Further, many if not most that jailbreak end up using pirated software which is ILLEGAL and steals from others trying to make a living off of their software. So your moral argument is what again?

[BillClay]

09:49 PM on 07/16/2011

Jailbreaking your iPhone is legal, so stop whining about what people choose to do with their private property.

[ArtCarnage]

01:30 PM on 07/17/2011

The reason Apple doesn't want people hacking their system and loading non-App Store software, is because THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID. Stop drinking the corporate Kool-Aid.

[Ponderus]

06:37 PM on 07/16/2011

Why bother to plug the gap? Jobs and Murdoch are two of a kind -- it's a match made in heaven.

[Mike Oxhuge]

06:31 PM on 07/16/2011

thank you steve jobs for giving me something to do this weekend.

[Wildlifeusa]

06:26 PM on 07/16/2011

For a newbie who doesn't overutilize apps, just emails and some web pages, which is better,cheaper or easier to use. An iphone or an android? Any advice is appreciated...

Thank you kindly.

[Mike Oxhuge]

06:39 PM on 07/16/2011

android.... simply put, its allows you to view flash

[Robert Weller]

07:49 PM on 07/16/2011

My family has three droids and two iPhones, a 3 and a 4. iPhones does things droids do not. I will not mention them here. plus droids virtually incompatable with mac desktops and laptops.

[siasina]

08:42 PM on 07/16/2011

There is a browser you can download from the app store that allows you to view flash on iPhone.

[FreeRange]

09:44 PM on 07/16/2011

The iPhone 3Gs at $50 would be your absolute best choice. It is easer to use, significantly more secure than android devices, and for all practical purposes is infinitely customizable using almost 500 Million apps so as your needs change you can add features and functions.

[Bloke1966]

06:22 PM on 07/16/2011

The best security is to not own one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SeattleJeff]

09:13 PM on 07/16/2011

We are in a minority but I agree with you. Because these devices are the latest in technological planned obsolescence, the world's resources used to make these things continues to be plundered. One big CME would shut 'em down in one big EMP.

[Bloke1966]

06:21 PM on 07/16/2011

These gadgets are making the world more ant-social,stupid,selfish,and unaware then anything I ever seen before.

[Pembrokelib]

06:58 PM on 07/16/2011

I disagree. With an Ipad I can take free college courses, read dozens of newspapers and learn a great deal about a great many things. It is wonderful company especially for someone who lives alone. Stupid, selfish and unaware are the opposite of the benefits it affords.

[Cdangers]

07:35 PM on 07/16/2011

Everything you just talked about is anti-social as you sit in your house alone to do all these things.

[LightShadow62]

07:42 PM on 07/16/2011

And yet your statement personifies all of these traits.