Apple Tackles Latest iPhone Security Lapses

The BBC reports that Apple will release a new patch through iTunes, to tackle the latest mobile virus threat to face the iPhone, this weekend. This is as a result of the recent discovery by security experts that “modified SMS messages could result in iPhones being disconnected from the network or hijacked altogether”. This current breach modifies some part of the background data that travels with SMS text messages and can easily be exploited by hackers as a means of attack.

The fact that Apple has quickly responded to this threat is yet a very good sign and brings to mind the present danger of mobile phone viruses today particularly because this flaw can also be exploited in any handset across all platforms e.g. in the Google Android and Windows Mobile operating systems (OS). However, because mobile phone viruses seem to be on the increase, the following steps may actually be helpful in reducing the susceptibility of mobile phones to malicious attacks such as these;

• Ensure that your mobile phone is updated regularly with the latest software programs.
• Download and install security patches, if and when available.
• Keep up-to-date with latest news and developments from your mobile network provider (MNP) for example, most MNP’s may release important information on preventing attacks are now scanning messages for malicious codes which may try to gain access to your handset and mobile device applications such as the camera, memory and address book.