“Glitch Lets You Skip iPhone Password”

Posted: 27 Oct 2010 05:10 PM PDT

Updated: Wednesday, 27 Oct 2010, 6:59 PM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 27 Oct 2010, 6:59 PM CDT

HOUSTON - A newly discovered security flaw on the Apple iPhone lets anyone bypass your password to make phone calls and listen to voicemails.

Having the password enabled on your phone brings a certain peace of mind -- that even if you lose it or it's stolen -- no one will be able to access your personal information, but instructions on how to bypass the password have popped up by the dozens on blogs, YouTube, and Vimeo.

Typically, you have to enter the password to do anything on the iPhone -- other than make an emergency call, and that's where the glitch is.

Over the weekend, someone discovered that just by entering a fake emergency number and pushing the lock button fast enough, you'd instantly have access to make unlimited phone calls, look at the contact list, and even listen to voicemails. If you really get to clicking around, some say you can even look through the phone's saved photos and text messages.

So who's affected? Anyone using the latest iPhone operating system, which is 4.1. (You can find your version # by going to Settings >> General >> About and then look under Version.)

This means passwords on the iPhone 4, 3GS, and the 3G can all be bypassed.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened. In 2008, it was revealed that a flaw in the iPhone's "emergency call" section would also give you some access, although it wasn't as extensive as the flaw found over the weekend. And, according to iSmashPhone.com, even the Android operating system has experienced some security glitches with its password login.

Unfortunately, there's no way to fix this on your own, but Apple says it will release a fix as part of its 4.2 update sometime in November. That update will be available for download for free through iTunes.

In the meantime, keep an eye on your phone and make sure you're the only one using it -- that is, if you feel you have something to hide.

More on the web: http://www.ismashphone.com/2010/10/bypass-surgery-another-ios4-security-hole-uncovered.html
More MyTechGuy: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/subindex/morning_news/my_tech_guy

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