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Operational Failure: iOS 7 Lock Screen Vulnerability

Posted byBy Leo | Published on: CommentsComments (0)


Apple released its update to their mobile operating system iOS 7 yesterday to much fanfare. The new iOS is being hailed as the biggest overhaul to their mobile OS since the inception of the iPhone, and in just one day, it has been been downloaded by 35 percent of smartphone users. However, things aren’t all perfect for Apple’s iOS 7, researchers have found a glitch in the new system that enables people to bypass the lock screen without a password. According to techcrunch.com:

“Vulnerabilities in Apple’s iOS lock screens have become a fixture of new iOS releases over the past few years, and iOS 7 is not exempt. A new method for bypassing the passcode on a lock screen has been discovered by idle hands and reported by Forbes’ Andy Greenberg.

“The lock screen bypass method involves sliding up Control Center, tapping on the timer button and holding down the power button until the cancel option comes up. You then tap on the cancel button then double-tap the home button. This gives you access to the multitasking UI. While most apps are locked out, the Camera option is accessible.”

Although, judging from the video above, the process looks a bit complicated. The author, however, offers an easier solution:

“Note that this vulnerability is incredibly easy to prevent for now. Just visit Settings>Control Center and toggle off ‘Access on Lock Screen’ to patch it up.”

This fix can be used in the short term, but there will probably be an update to resolve this and other early flaws and vulnerabilities in the operating system.

Check out the video above to simple get instructions for a short term solution to this flaw.

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