iPhone iOS Security Problems, Latest News: Apple Addresses WikiLeaks' Vault 7 Reveal on CIA's iPhone Exploits
WikiLeaks recently released a collection of unverified documents about the Central Intelligence Agency's utility of specialized hacking software and tools which leave a vast array of devices vulnerable.
Dubbed as "Vault 7," WikiLeaks' collection consists of records from 2013 to 2016 and is considered to be the largest publication of confidential documents collected about the CIA. The first part of the full series was launched with over 8,000 documents and files which WikiLeaks claims to have been provided by "an isolated, high-security network" in the agency's Center for Cyber Intelligence located in Langley, Virginia.
Should the documents unleashed by WikiLeaks prove to be authentic, then the CIA used hacking tools to gain access to people's smartphones, computers and televisions. The documents allegedly include information about the agency's global hacking program and malware, as well as zero-day exploits for mobile devices such as iPhones and Android smartphones.
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WikiLeaks also released an outline of security exploits that allowed the CIA to bypass security measures of Apple's iOS devices.
In response to these revelations, Apple issued a statement to TechCrunch, refuting claims that its devices are vulnerable to the CIA's alleged hacking exploits. The Cupertino-based company maintains that many of the iOS vulnerabilities revealed in Vault 7 have been fixed and that they are working to immediately address other identified vulnerabilities:
Apple's official statement on the matter reads:
"Apple is deeply committed to safeguarding our customers' privacy and security. The technology built into today's iPhone represents the best data security available to consumers, and we're constantly working to keep it that way. Our products and software are designed to quickly get security updates into the hands of our customers, with nearly 80 percent of users running the latest version of our operating system. While our initial analysis indicates that many of the issues leaked today were already patched in the latest iOS, we will continue work to rapidly address any identified vulnerabilities. We always urge customers to download the latest iOS to make sure they have the most recent security updates."
According to Mic, iPhone or Android users concerned about the security of their devices should make sure to keep their gadgets updated to the most recent operating system. They are also advised to opt for messaging platforms which provide end-to-end encryption such as WhatsApp and Signal.
