While the new iPhone 3GS has been welcomed by both technology analysts and Apple fans, security issues have already been raised regarding the new device. Forensics expert Jonathon Zdziarski told Wired that a new feature allowing users to remotely delete information off their phone in case it is stolen has security issues.
“I don’t think some of the features were as big of a solution as Apple made them sound. The remote wipe is useful, but for someone who’s targeting an enterprise phone specifically, that remote wipe can only take place if the iPhone is on a network. If I steal someone’s phone and I have the goal of stealing information on that phone, the first thing I’m going to do is pop the SIM card out.”
Zdziarski claimed that the security features on the device are sub-par when compared to its rival business gadget, the BlackBerry. BlackBerry users can remotely erase data when their phone has been idle on the network for a set amount of time.
“Any kind of encryption is an improvement … and Apple is heading in the right direction. But BlackBerry still has the upper hand in their technology,” Zdziarski said.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
