The advice that every IT security expert often gives is this: update your software to the latest version, if not you’ll be open to vulnerabilities.
But in a first of its kind, an up-to-date iPhone might be vulnerable to hacks.
Described as a “dangerous security flaw” by Reuters, it was discovered that about two weeks ago, when someone found a suspicious web link, he sent it to a security expert which found that it could potentially lead the iPhone being “RAT-ed”.
A RAT, known as a remote access Trojan, allows someone to remotely view and control your device. Think of it as those remote access given to your IT guys to troubleshoot your computer—given to the wrong hand, someone could potentially control your phone without you knowing.
With our phones containing much of our personal data, it will be disastrous if your phone is RAT-ed.
Last Thursday (25 August 2016), Apple released a patch to fix the security flaw.
Now, if you still have the mentality that “no one is ever going to hack me”, think again. One reason why hackers would target you, an everyday person, is to achieve something known as “ransomware”: with their ability to change your phone password, they can simply lock it and demand money from you to unlock it.
Maybe they only demanded $100 from you, and some people might just give the $100 as a new phone could cost a lot more. Of course, the right thing to do is to make a police report, but let’s face it: which option would you choose?
If the hacker could potentially get 1,000 people to pay $100 each, that’s $100,000 in a day’s work.
In other words, whoever you are, you’re a target.
So, iPhone users, if you’re still waiting for a WiFi connection to update your software, or simply refuse to update for some reason, you’ll better do so now.
Featured Image: Twin Design / Shutterstock.com
This article was first published on goodyfeed.com
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