NEWS: iPhone becomes phisherman's friend

External Since: Jul 12, 2007 Posts: 751

<http://www.theregister.com/2007/07/17/iphone_phishing_risk/>

Security shortcomings in the design of Apple's iPhone might make it
easier to mount phishing and cross-site scripting attacks.

The iPhone's email client only displays the first few characters of a
weblink, a factor researchers at Fortify Software warn makes it
easier to hide a fraudulent URL at the end of a link without arousing
suspicion.

The mechanism the iPhone uses to link between web browser and
telephone functions also makes it easier to embed scam telephone
numbers within sites, which a user may be prompted to dial.

Fortify says the security shortcomings of the iPhone mean users are
exposed to risk from relatively simple phishing techniques, either by
accidentally clicking through to fraudulent websites or unwittingly
making expensive premium line calls.

"Without immediate attention, this problem could lead to a deluge of
hackers attempting to mimic native iPhone applications and gain
access to other personal information such as contacts, photos, and
maybe even the phone's physical location," Fortify chief scientist
Brian Chess said.

[MORE]

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External Since: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 735

At 17 Jul 2007 16:14:12 +0000 John Navas wrote:
> <http://www.theregister.com/2007/07/17/iphone_phishing_risk/>
>
> Security shortcomings in the design of Apple's iPhone might make it
> easier to mount phishing and cross-site scripting attacks.

While it may to true, I think "proprietary" OS devices like
Palm/WinMo/iPhones PDAs are generally MORE secure than laptop/desktop PCs
because they are essentially immune from virii, trojans, keyloggers, etc.
targeted at Wintel boxes.

I know when curiousity leads me to investigate a scam site I do it from
my WinMo phone knowing that whatever they intend to throw at me isn't
likely to even run on my device, and in the off chance it were to target
WinMo, my phone can't execute it without my permission.

> The iPhone's email client only displays the first few characters of a
> weblink, a factor researchers at Fortify Software warn makes it
> easier to hide a fraudulent URL at the end of a link without arousing
> suspicion.

I'm far more comfortable withany exploit that requires my stupidity to
assist it, than, say, something embedded in a macro that might attempt to
execute silently.

> Fortify says the security shortcomings of the iPhone mean users are
> exposed to risk from relatively simple phishing techniques, either by
> accidentally clicking through to fraudulent websites or unwittingly
> making expensive premium line calls.

While interesting, it still requires user-interaction, which should be
easily defeated by education and "safe computing" practices.

> "Without immediate attention, this problem could lead to a deluge of
> hackers attempting to mimic native iPhone applications and gain
> access to other personal information such as contacts, photos, and
> maybe even the phone's physical location," Fortify chief scientist
> Brian Chess said.

I love how every two-bit consulting and/or marketing firm is chafing at
the bit to "report" iPhone information and get their name out there!

The iPhone seems no less "secure" than any other smartphone that can
execute a system command (like dialing the phone!) from a clickable link.
Did "Fortify Software" issue these press releases for Blackberries,
Treos and iPaq phones as well?

The Register seems to enjoy "reporting" any anti-iPhone news they can find.
What iPhone-shaped bug crawled up their hindquarters?

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