Apple’s iOS for iPhone, iPad and iPod are being warned of having vulnerable security according to a number of sources, as it is alleged to be susceptible to remote attacks in order for hackers to attain complete control of a ‘vulnerable device’.
Industry experts claim that whilst it only exists on paper Apple will need to find a solution to prevent this from happening.
Apple are said to be aware of these claims and are investigating the subject.
The problem relates specifically to the way Apple’s Mobile Safari handles Portable Document Format (PDF) files. As the browser opens a PDF automatically, it leaves the door open to hackers embedding a malicious code into files.
Ironically the only way of preventing Mobile Safari from automatically opening PDF files is by ‘jailbreaking’ a phone and installing an application called PDF Loading Warner, which asks for permission every time the browser tries to open a PDF file.
At present it is legal for users to jailbreak their phones, though industry experts certainly don’t recommend this. Concerned consumers who want to switch to an alternative browser do have the option to do this, which at present is seen as the most tangible solution.
Historically, Apple hasn’t been the quickest in fixing problems on their Mobile browser, so it remains to be seen as to what solution they will offer to their ever increasing and expectant customers.
