Experts Warn New iPhone Threat Means Users Should Be More Careful With Wi-Fi
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A new mobile threat could crash your iPhone as hackers have found a way to attack your device with an improper certificate and shut it down.
Experts say the hackers are getting in through a malicious Wi-Fi connection by creating a fake network that Apple devices connect to by default.
"If they're giving out free Wi-Fi, I'm going to use it," said Gino Sorci.
But with those care-free tech habits come a risk for Sorci's iPhone.
"It didn't seem like a problem until a few years ago and now, it's just kind of scary," Sorci said.
The flaw allows hackers to disable your digital ways by accessing your Wi-Fi connection.
"When you're moving around your day and your Wi-Fi is turned on, it's constantly looking for these Wi-Fi networks, and if it finds one of them that matches, it goes ahead and automatically connects," said technology expert Michael Parks.
Many wireless carriers provide businesses and other locations with complimentary Wi-Fi services. If you walk by, your phone by design automatically connects to the network, which provides a window for hackers to swoop in with a rogue setup and cripple your device.
"You're automatically connected, they issue the command, your phone restarts itself. And it will continue to do that until you get away from the network," he said.
But if you find yourself in one of those networks, the best thing to do is just walk away.
"Leave the area. Wi-Fi ranges can be in upwards of 500, 600 feet. So you just want to leave the area," he said.
Other options including turning off your Wi-Fi connection along with the auto-join tab under settings. Also, avoid connecting to suspicious free Wi-Fi networks.
It's advice Sorci says he'll be sure to share.
"I'll probably tell my friends that. I wouldn't want any of them to have their information stolen or any hacking to happen with them," he said.
