Adam and Associates Insurance Agency Blog
iPhone Smart Phone Users Warned of Security Vulnerability
6/9/2010 3:37:00 PM
If
you use an iPhone to conduct business, you should be on the look-out for
a suspicious-looking SMS message, also known as a text message. If you
receive a text message containing a single odd character, such as a
small box, turn your phone off immediately. This message is the only
indicator that someone has just exploited your iPhone through text
messaging and can take advantage of several features, possibly including
the camera, text messaging feature and address book.
To protect against this vulnerability, all iPhone users should apply the free fix available on Apple's iTunes media management as soon as possible. To do this:
Connect your iPhone to your laptop and launch iTunes
You will be notified that a new version for your iPhone is available to download and install. When prompted, select "yes."
The iTunes software will download the package and install onto your iPhone; your iPhone will reboot. The fix is then applied and you are done.
Other Smart Phone Users
Users of other smart phones should also remember that as the capabilities of cell phones have grown, so has their similarities to home computers. It has come to the point where a cell phone can be considered the "most personal computer," and as such, care must be taken to keep them as protected as possible from malicious outsiders.
This means applying software patches as they become available, as this is the best defense against someone exploiting a vulnerability in your phone's software.
Many people charge their phones overnight by plugging them into wall adapters instead of plugging them into their computers, and by doing so can go for weeks before seeing that there is an update available for their phone. Weaknesses have been discovered in nearly all makes and models of smart phones, and attackers prey on those who choose not to patch their devices.
Call us for a free quote 1-800-757-1975 or visit us at www.chattanooga-insurance.com
Chattanooga, TN home and auto quotes
To protect against this vulnerability, all iPhone users should apply the free fix available on Apple's iTunes media management as soon as possible. To do this:
Connect your iPhone to your laptop and launch iTunes
You will be notified that a new version for your iPhone is available to download and install. When prompted, select "yes."
The iTunes software will download the package and install onto your iPhone; your iPhone will reboot. The fix is then applied and you are done.
Other Smart Phone Users
Users of other smart phones should also remember that as the capabilities of cell phones have grown, so has their similarities to home computers. It has come to the point where a cell phone can be considered the "most personal computer," and as such, care must be taken to keep them as protected as possible from malicious outsiders.
This means applying software patches as they become available, as this is the best defense against someone exploiting a vulnerability in your phone's software.
Many people charge their phones overnight by plugging them into wall adapters instead of plugging them into their computers, and by doing so can go for weeks before seeing that there is an update available for their phone. Weaknesses have been discovered in nearly all makes and models of smart phones, and attackers prey on those who choose not to patch their devices.
Call us for a free quote 1-800-757-1975 or visit us at www.chattanooga-insurance.com
Chattanooga, TN home and auto quotes
