A new security flaw has been revealed that could affect private data being held on an Apple iPhone.
Apple has marketed its products as being immune to viruses and cracking technology, but a number of threats to Apple technology have been revealed in the past few years.
The new exploit takes advantage of a feature in the phone which allows businesses to set up a group of iPhones by downloading configuration files to be downloaded through the Safari web-browser.
Apparently, hackers are now able to make the configuration file report as “verified”, and also appear to be sent from “Apple Computer”. This means a hacker could disguise a rogue or damaging file as a “verified” configuration file.
Additionally, the iPhone could also potentially have its settings reconfigured, which means a web browser could be instructed to only visit one website. Alternatively, Wi-Fi, email and a number of other settings could be changed.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
