31/07/2009

Researchers at a computing conference in Las Vegas have unveiled a security flaw in Apple's iPhone.

Collin Mulliner and Charlie Miller, a pair of IT security experts, showed the iPhone's weaknesses at the annual Black Hat cybersecurity event.

The pair suggested that hackers could take over an iPhone by using a text message.

Breaching this vulnerability in the device's security would enable the hacker to send emails, visit websites and dial numbers without the user's consent.

Charlie Miller, a security analyst with consulting firm Independent Security Evaluators, told Reuters: 'It's scary. I don't want people taking over my iPhone.'

His fellow researcher, Mr Mulliner, commented: 'If we don't talk about it, somebody is going to do it silently. The bad guys are going to do it no matter what.'

Trip Chowdhry, analyst at Global Equities Research, added: 'Apple's credibility and reputation could get hurt if they don't respond. Positive buzz is good; negative buzz is much more harmful.'

Music website Spotify has launched a new application to integrate its streaming service with the iPhone.