Hackers targeting smartphones

Chevy57

Chevy57

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CLEVELAND - Smartphone attacks have doubled in the past year, and an expert told 5 On Your Side Investigators the trend will continue.
"This is now becoming a target of choice," said security expert Murray Jennex,

Smartphones have become mobile wallets, and Jennex said they are getting as easy to hack as a desktop computer.

Jennex said Android and Windows phones have always been the primary target for hackers because those phones have an open network.

He said they let you download just about anything, including fake applications that will steal your information.

"The viruses are a lot more effective on those systems," said Jennex.

But Jennex also said Apple products are ripe for thieves in 2013.

He said most Apple users know that Apple has a closed operating system and you can only download apps through the Apple store -- apps that are validated by the company.

"So they have this feeling that this is a safe phone," Jennex said.

Over the last three months, Jennex said researchers have proven that the iPhone can be attacked.

"What's been demonstrated is if you can get a virus into the Safari browser that will then tell the iPhone to send all the information stored on the phone to a set address," said Jennex.

Documents, information from any bank applications or anything else saved on your phone would be sent to hackers.

"It will dump your passwords, it will dump your pictures, it will dump your phone log," said Jennex.

5 On Your Side had Jennex email us a virus, and the email with the virus directed one of our NewsChannel5 producers to a link through Safari.

A few minutes after the link was clicked, the iPhone 3GS shut off.

5 On Your Side never had any problems with the phone before, and the battery was at 60 percent.

"It's possible something in there is attacking it and it's trying to protect itself," Jennex said.

Jennex wasn't sure what happened to the phone, and said to take it to the Apple store to find out. A technician said there was no way to ever know what clicking on that link did. He did not think it was malware but he said it was possible clicking on the link could have shut off the phone.

Jennex said not knowing is scary too.

"Bottom line here, phones are no safer than your laptop," said Jennex.

Meanwhile, the iPhone has a security flaw with the passcode on its new iOS 6.1 operating system.

Thieves have a way to break through the lock and into the phone. The person breaking in can listen to your voicemail, see your photos and make calls from the iPhone.

Apple is aware of the passcode flaw, and will have a fix in the next software update.
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Hackers targeting smartphones; targets include Apple iPhone, Android, Windows mobile devices

True? I had checked my mobile bank accounting app on my iPhone. that s Ok. not stealing.
 
Scary.

"What's been demonstrated is if you can get a virus into the Safari browser that will then tell the iPhone to send all the information stored on the phone to a set address," said Jennex.
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I wonder how do you get a virus into the Safari browser?

I have an iPhone so I've been using that Safari browser. But only like to check AD, etc. I don't use it to check email since I use the email app for that. That doesn't go through Safari, does it?
 
AlleyCat said:
Scary.



I wonder how do you get a virus into the Safari browser?

I have an iPhone so I've been using that Safari browser. But only like to check AD, etc. I don't use it to check email since I use the email app for that. That doesn't go through Safari, does it?
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I think that mobile Google Chrome browser is safe than Safari.
 
Hackers just suck the fun out of everything. :(
 
AlleyCat said:
Scary.



I wonder how do you get a virus into the Safari browser?

I have an iPhone so I've been using that Safari browser. But only like to check AD, etc. I don't use it to check email since I use the email app for that. That doesn't go through Safari, does it?
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my guess? javascript.
 
Big reason I will not do any banking online. Not too long ago I left alldeaf running and didn't log off. Went back on much later and someone had a cursor clicking on the threads and links.wtf. it is on my cell so no cursor. Now I make sure to log out regularly
 
but not all hackers do it for stealing, the real ones are just hobbyists and gamers
 
Grummer said:
but not all hackers do it for stealing, the real ones are just hobbyists and gamers
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Unfortunately, it's true. Couple years ago, I knew one forum site that hackers would show off the site they hacked. They would screenshot whatever they insert pictures on victim's site. Stupid people...
 
JMH said:
Unfortunately, it's true. Couple years ago, I knew one forum site that hackers would show off the site they hacked. They would screenshot whatever they insert pictures on victim's site. Stupid people...
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..like...4chan lol
 
Nothing is 100% safe and that is dead end fact.

There are thousands, millions ways to find way to get in.

Same concept when a robber wants to rob a bank during night time and got to the combination knob, listen for specific sounds oh that number okay, next? Oh that number, next? Oh that number start again in sequence bam! its open.

Same with password

Supposed you decided use password 12345

Hacker would type in 123? No, again type in 1234? No, ok try again 12345? BAM got in. This is usually done with script to make it faster. It is called spoofing.

Other type is keylogger, hacker would document every key you type in and figure it out later. That is one way they break in, there is so much hackers CAN do to break in. So again nothing is 100% secured or safe.

JMH said:
No one really know which is really safe. Hackers will always find a way on anything...
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Grummer said:
..like...4chan lol
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Never heard of 4chan. I think I went to one called Haxor or something. I went there after my Call of Duty clan website were hacked (they even insert an image of old lady in her birthday suit :shock: ) and someone did posted that screenshot of our hacked website. That was in 2004, I think.
 
go to 4chan, Just DON'T go to "B" never
 
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deafbirk said:
Big reason I will not do any banking online. Not too long ago I left alldeaf running and didn't log off. Went back on much later and someone had a cursor clicking on the threads and links.wtf. it is on my cell so no cursor. Now I make sure to log out regularly
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Simply double touch phone's "return" button to pop up option to close your browser, quicker that way Once you close the browser, AD would be logged off as well.

I've never had problem. My HTC EVO is rooted and I know there is risk for hacker to hack my phone.

Catty
 
I just put up a thread about hackers sending emails to everyone on a person computer. This been on the news for awhile now and it's getting to be a real
problem . I know 2 people that had their computer hacked into. I have to be very careful opening any emails now.
 
cash my paper check though smartphone. It works like charm. I don't have to go to bank to deposit paper checks, and check balance.

I know the risk, but by the law if it happens Bank is the one that have to bite the loss.

Oc318 said:
Don't know why anyone would want to do their banking on a phone. Screen is kind of small anyway.
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diehardbiker said:
cash my paper check though smartphone. It works like charm. I don't have to go to bank to deposit paper checks, and check balance.

I know the risk, but by the law if it happens Bank is the one that have to bite the loss.
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Why do people even send paper checks in this day and age :) and I can check my balance on home PC. larger screen and better security :P
 
I use 2nd step verification and alert my text message for new code each time I login if I use public wifi.
 
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