Secret Button Sequence Bypasses iPhone Security

[JJ_BPK]

Don't you just love computers...

:munchin



Secret Button Sequence Bypasses iPhone Security
By Brian X. Chen
October 25, 2010,7:40 pm, Categories: Hacks and Cracks

A security flaw in the iPhone allows strangers to bypass the handset's lock
screen with a few button presses.

In the video below, a Brazilian iPhone customer demonstrates the quick
method to circumvent an iPhone's passcode-protected lock screen: tap the
"Emergency Call" button, then enter three pound signs, hit the green Call
button and immediately press the Lock button.

That simple procedure gives a snoop full access to the Phone app on the
iPhone, which contains the address book, voicemail and call history.

Wired.com tried out the procedure with complete success on an iPhone 4
running iOS 4.1, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system.
Apple did not immediately return a phone call or e-mail requesting comment.

Though the iPhone is hailed as one of the best-selling handsets on the
market, security researchers have criticized the handset for its weak
security.

A very similar security flaw discovered on the iPhone in 2008 allowed people
to easily bypass the lock screen to access mail, contacts and bookmarks.
Apple later acknowledged the bug and issued a software update patching the
issue.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/10/iphone-snoop/#ixzz13UGOEDyE

[ksboi]

I tried it on one of the soldiers phones out here. A bit worried about what else can be done with a few button taps.

[dr. mabuse]

Nobody, and I mean almost nobody ( except Microsoft ), is better than Apple at charging a premium for their products whilst making their customers do ALL of the beta testing. :D

[timewilltell]

Any combination of numbers and or */# will bypass with the same method. As long as it is two characters it does not matter.

[Masochist]

In addition, you can still use the voice dial to make calls, even if the phone is locked. Just hold down the home button for a few seconds.