Uh-Oh: Strangers Can Access Your New iPhone 4S Even if Passcode-Protected
- Posted on October 20, 2011 at 6:56pm by
Liz Klimas
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Smartphone security is now reaching the same level of importance as personal computers, with experts emphasizing the necessity of setting passwords to lock the phone from outside users. But if you own an iPhone, your password could be bypassed and information given by none other than Apple’s newest craze: Siri.
Siri, iPhone 4S’s personal, voice-activated assistant, answers almost any question and can complete almost any task you throw at it. But it has recently been found that Siri can also be used when your iPhone is in a locked mode.
Graham Cluley over at Naked Security (via Slashgear), the blog of the security company Sophos, reports his personal experience that led to this discovery:
I borrowed a passcode-locked iPhone 4S from a colleague here at Sophos and, with his permission, was able to write an email, and send a text message. If I had wanted to I could have meddled with his calendar appointments too.
All without having to enter the passcode. I’m sure you can imagine some of the ways this could potentially be abused.
There is a way to lock Siri, Cluley reports, however, to make sure this doesn’t happen. Go to “Settings,“ ”General,“ and then ”Passcode.“ From there turn the ”Siri” option off.
(Image: Naked Security)
SMMobiles also notes that the fact Siri works without unlocking the phone also opens the door to butt-siri-ing, like butt or purse dialing (where users accidentally dial someone without knowing it) but with Siri.
Watch Sophos’ video to understand why you should have a passcode in the first place:
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Pydge
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 2:13pmI liked this article.
Report Post »Biscuit Feed Bubba
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:57pmWho bit the apple in the Logo? Almost seems to be a devilish thing. Maybe a bit from the tree of knowledge? Maybe a deal with the devil? Men’s knowledge has increased. How? And everything artificial in my opinion is Anti-Original. Go figure that one out for yourself.
Report Post »truthbubble
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 2:34pmThe only reason I clicked on this is the lack of editing in the post, spell check anyone, umm Acces? Hello am I the only one that knows how to type and edit at the same time? I kould tipe lyke thes two?
Report Post »glenng2
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 4:22amNice to meet you mr flawless!
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 10:41amDon‘t have one and won’t. Couldn’t care less.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 11:20amIf you remember way back to the 80′s when all of this computer stuff was taking off, talk of user security was rampant. The industry AND government wanted exclusive rights to secure data, everyday users were to be at the mercies of anyone and everyone else. Today, the industry still holds the secure content advocates in contempt, despite everything that has since happened. Security? You people don’t know who you are dealing with.
Report Post »mpthegreek
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 9:11amSirii is just a clone of Google voice function that finds anything calls anything notates anything Google has had this for 4 or 5 years or more if you like it should of switched to android lol. The cheapest android phone can do what siri can do. Good thing Google isn’t like apple or they would be suing them for copyright infrigement lol. Apple is for the followers, enjoy. For the trend setters we’ve been using this for years via android. Guess what our devices also use flash I know amazing maybe the I clone 10 will have flash too, but I doubt it since jobs hated it. Then of course all of these iphones track you have antenna problems and security issues. Lol but it’s purty.
Report Post »eric55
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 9:39pmI‘m not sure about siri but i have google talk feature on my android and it totally sucks i cant get it to do one command right it always gets what i want wrong if siri works as advertised i’d drop my android in a heart beat just for that feature
Report Post »RicksterD17
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 10:18pmYou obviously have no idea what you’re talking about. Have you ever used Siri? Or are you dissing android fanboy that love to bash Apple because you wish your phone was as cool as an iPhone? did this reply on my iPhone without touching the keyboard. The iPhone 4S, and it’s Siri assistant, make the best combination of hardware and software in the world, hands down.
Report Post »MrObvious
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:54amThe headline sounds like an attack on the iPhone 4s; but,if you read the whole article, it’s clear that this is a non-issue; and, not a security hole; as, it’s made out to be.
Report Post »The ability to use a voice assistant on a locked phone is useful sometimes (while driving), and not others; which, is likely why apple provided the option to turn Siri on or off when in password protected mode.
Just one more cool feature on the new iPhone.
hempstead1944
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:53amReason enough not to buy one…..
Report Post »americansfightingforcommonsense
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 11:04pmThe word is spelled “Access” in the Title. Oops. Should have used your smart phone. Ha. Jobs was a great man and even he knew Obama will be a one term president. Watch this administration get desperate to hold on to power. They know once they are out they will be really out on their ear. Could get ugly.
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 10:51pm@ mommyneedsmorecoffee What happens if one of those accessing your stuff–is our current Marxist government? @ulyssesp said it best—dumb people need Smart Phones! PERFECT!
Report Post »MommyNeedsMoreCoffee
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 1:28pm@MAGYAR
I was just commenting on the standard Blaze typo…there’s generally at least one per article. This one hit the big time by being in the headline.
Report Post »heerma
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:42pmThe just work……..for anybody.
Report Post »MrKnowItAll
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:39pmKinda sad. With all the new technology. Even Peeping Toms are Obsolete!
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:20pmI don’t use the telly for anything other than talking. No bank acct. info. or anything like that. I ain’t my style. It can be compromised easily enough. That’s my comment.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:58pmGod has access to ALL of your SECRETS
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:45pmMy cell phone is the dumb kind. It’s an old Motorola V171, I like that. All it does is make phone calls. I don’t need/want all that technology in my phone. I think it texts but haven’t had the interest to explore it enough to find out. If I want to talk to someone I’ll call them. I don’t need apps. I don’t need games. All I need is a charged battery.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:13amYep. I have a Go Phone that I put the sim card in from a previous nicer phone that the hinge broke on. I can make calls and send/receive texts. It doesn’t even have any games and has about 6 ring tones to choose from.
Report Post »WhiteNoise
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:36pmYou can’t lock all of the doors on your house but leave the garage door open and expect all of your things to be safe. Of course you lock the doors AND close the garage. Siri is the garage door. We almost always give up convenience for safety and must sometimes give up safety for convenience.
It’s your choice. I personally will likely close the garage door. My neighbor has there’s open almost 24/7 and has never had a problem.
Report Post »hi
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:30pmI love the new iphone! I can ask Siri to make a call, to text a message, or even an email.
I can ask Siri, just by pushing one button, where the closest donut shop is!
I asked her to wake me up in 10 minutes and she did.
IT IS AWESOME!!!! I only bought it because it has 8 megapixel camera as opposed to the 5. I had no idea it could do all of this amazing stuff!! I love it!! A
Report Post »MommyNeedsMoreCoffee
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:18pmDang! I hate it when strangers acces my stuff.
Report Post »jackact
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:16pmApple is sham.
Report Post »Genius or not Jobs has produced a population of anti-social illiterates.
Like the ones protesting in Zuccotti Park.
Trust fund brats included.
BetterDays
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:12pmA nice EMP would ease the telecommunications industry burden I’d wager, who would worry about pass codes then?
Report Post »jackact
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:12pmTom @ Apple has some explanation I’m sure?
Report Post »Sony Walkman‘s were ’hot-sellers’ you know.
UlyssesP
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:10pmDumb people need Smart Phones.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:09pmgood idea, kind of like locking your car…
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