iPhone Vulnerability Could See Calls To Expensive Numbers

Apple might not have that many devices as those running on the Android platform, but this does not mean that such a hugely successful smartphone line is not susceptible to security compromises. Apparently, if you happen to own an iPhone, you might want to sit up and read this carefully. A Copenhagen-based developer claims to have chanced upon a rather simple method of automatically make your handset actually dial numbers that are embedded in a web page.

That might not sound all that dangerous, but when you take into consideration the fact that even the more expensive ones – let me stand corrected, especially the more expensive phone numbers, might very well be dialed without your knowledge, and that could see you end up with a bill shock at the end of the month.

Andrei Neculaesei, who is a developer with wireless streaming company Airtame, realized that despite Safari asking for one’s confirmation before making a call, majority of the other popular apps, Facebook Messenger and Google+ included, will perform the phone call without the need to obtain your permission first. Achieving this is relatively easy, where a Web page that holds the relevant JavaScript will be able to result in your iPhone placing a call – after viewing the webpage alone without having to click on anything. Scary, no?

Edwin Kee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: iPhone