SAN JOSE, CALIF. - Apple has issued a software patch to fix some security holes that independent security researchers recently discovered for the company’s vaunted iPhone.
The software update that Apple said it released late Tuesday addresses several bugs and security issues, but most notably a flaw that could have allowed hackers to take control of the multimedia cell phone to spread spam or steal data if its owner was to visit a doctored Web site or Internet Wi-Fi hotspot.
The iPhone hijacking vulnerability was only theoretical. Still, such findings — and their subsequent patches — often help to make it more difficult for malicious attacks on computers and other gizmos like the iPhone, which connect to computers or the Internet.
The iPhone — a combination cell phone, iPod player and wireless Web gadget — became a popular research target after its June 29 launch.
Its first software update came just two days before analysts at Independent Security Evaluators were to discuss the iPhone’s hijacking hole at a hackers convention in Las Vegas.
