Advertisement
Promo

Security threats Toolkit

Story: iPhone's remote wiping may help crooks cover tracks

  • Previous comment

Posted by: Curmudgeon (Wednesday 3 September 2008, 7:33 PM)

  • Reply

Remote wipe capability

This may be an issue when dealing with organized crime, but probably not for garden variety criminals. The iPhone's 'remote wipe' capability must be set up in advance, and requires an Exchange Server. Remotely wiping the data from an iPhone cannot be done merely as an afterthought.

The remote wipe ability is set up by use of a configuration file which includes the user's Exchange account information, so if the iPhone is captured and not connected to its network (and therefore is not able to be remotely wiped), the Exchange account information may lead the authorities to the criminal's organization as well.

For criminals setting up this feature, it's a double-edged sword.

Private message disabled

Curmudgeon

Curmudgeon
California
Member since: September 2008

Site Activity Rating:

1

 


  • Previous comment

  • Reply to this comment
  • Return to story
  • Report this as offensive


Full Talkback thread

Sentry Posts Blog

Motorola Droid Drops Today: Happy Droi...

Motorola Droid Drops Today: Happy Droid Day America! Author: Eric Everson, Mobile Security Expert If you’re wondering what all of the buzz is about with words like Droid and Android... More

Post a comment

Mobile Security Profile: BlackBerry St...

Mobile Security Profile: BlackBerry Storm2 Author: Eric Everson BlackBerry handsets are a staple of office culture; from syncing calendars to sharing business-related data,... More

Post a comment

South Korea plans to fingerprint visit...

The South Korean authorities could fingerprint and photograph foreign visitors from 2012, the Korea Times reported on Tuesday. Barring diplomats and government operatives, all visitors... More

Post a comment


Skip Sub Navigation Links to CNET Brand Links

Help

Become part of the ZDNet community.

Newsletters