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SMS Hack Could Make iPhones Vulnerable

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the up-against-the-wall-and-spread-'em dept.

mhx writes "A single character sent by text message could allegedly compromise every iPhone released to date. The technique involves sending only one unusual text character or else a series of 'invisible' messages that confuse the phone and open the door to attack. Apple has not released any updates yet, so little can be done, except to power off your iPhone to avoid being hacked."

18 of 254 comments (clear)

  1. "SMS Hack Could Makes iPhones Vulnerable" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, the same SMS hack can be used to make headlines appear with wrongly used verbs...

  2. App Store by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Want to pwn every apple smartphone in the world?

    There's an app for that.

    --
    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  3. Text character? by pushing-robot · · Score: 4, Funny

    The technique involves sending only one unusual text character

    Let me guess: "Q". Damned "Q".

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    How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    1. Re:Text character? by viking099 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Thanks a lot ass^7'89-NO CARRIER

  4. Right-click, wha? by johnthorensen · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apparently Apple was going to require *two* unusual text characters for the iPwn hack, but Steve Jobs insisted that this would be too complicated for their users.

    1. Re:Right-click, wha? by johnthorensen · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well the jerk store called, and they're running out of...[iPhone Restarting]

  5. In other news... by 6Yankee · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...sex offenders start a mass SMS-sending campaign...

    1. Re:In other news... by jmahler · · Score: 4, Funny

      i see what you did there. Awesome. :)

      Mod funny please.

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      --endcycle--
    2. Re:In other news... by Yvan256 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Mods: I think he was referring to the parent above him for the "mod funny" comment.

    3. Re:In other news... by Yvan256 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Mods are on crack today!

      Mod parent funny!

    4. Re:In other news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I modded your wife alright.

  6. That's okay. by FlyingSquidStudios · · Score: 5, Funny

    No one ever sends me SMS messages, so I'd be flattered they noticed me if I was hacked. So lonely...

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    http://twitter.com/OLDTELEGRAM
  7. The series of invisible characters by blind+biker · · Score: 4, Funny

    It is here:

    --
    "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
  8. Why worry? by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for on am not concrnd. It's simply a mattr of not snding that charactr. Crtainly, a company lik Appl can hav it xcludd from th alphabt. And thn w can just gt on with our livs, njoying our iPhons.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  9. The Secret string is: by spydum · · Score: 5, Funny

    +++ATH0

  10. Re:Is this why they were distracting us yesterday? by Bemopolis · · Score: 5, Funny

    All this from a company where the CEO's liver is replaceable, but the battery in your phone or laptop is not.

    The battery in the iPhone and laptop are replaceable, just not by the owner. This was also the case for Steve's liver. JOKE FAIL.
    <\memekiller>

    --
    "I guess the moral of the story is, don't paint your airship with rocket fuel." -- Addison Bain
  11. Here's what to do by yellowstone · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you survive the initial peril (the next thirty hours or so), then there are obvious procedures that can give relative safety: Do not accept High Beyond protocol packets. At the very least, route all communications through Middle Beyond sites, with translation down to, and then up from, local trade languages.

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    150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for slashdot.sig (129323052 bytes).
  12. Re:Binary Encoded Messages by davester666 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nope, the 3 Pre users are completely safe. They only text amongst themselves.

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    Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!