Apple releases fix for effective power iPhone crash prank

4.6
There's a text that you can send to your friends, that will crash their phone instantly, if it's sent from an iPhone to another iPhone.

It's been annoying people across the country, as people message each other the secret code.
The string of unique characters resets the phone, causing it to frustratingly turn on and off.

However, Apple today released a statement saying how to fix the phone if it is sent the malicious text.
The iPhone maker told the Press Association: "Apple is aware of an iMessage issue caused by a specific series of unicode characters and we will make a fix available in a software update. Until the update is available, you can use these steps to re-open the Messages app."


Sending your friend the string of characters, however, does not just crash Messages.
It can also be used to affect the Snapchat and Twitter apps, if sent in private messages on either of the platforms.

However, an expert has told the Press Association that nothing more sinister than a simple reboot will happen if you are sent the message, and that they assume Apple will fix it soon.

Mark James, security specialist at anti-virus firm ESET said: "I am sure we have all had our desktop machines reboot after a seemingly random event has triggered the dreaded reboot. These mobile computers we call phones today have the same core instructions - if all else fails then reboot.

"This does not necessarily mean it's a security flaw or indeed an exploitable bug but Apple will none the less try and rectify this as soon as they possibly can."

Posted:
Related Forum: Mobile Devices

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/11638930/Apple-releases-fix-for-effective-power-iPhone-crash-prank.html

Comments

"Apple releases fix for effective power iPhone crash prank" :: Login/Create an Account :: 66 comments

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MSDSPosted:

It's a good thing that didn't happen to me. Haha

AlexPosted:

Kinda of a weird bug imo, glad it didn't effect me on my HTC

MissPosted:

My friend was doing this to someone else. Should have seen the look on his face.

AustinPosted:

Good thing this was never sent to me lol

1989Posted:

That's actually pretty cool lol. I never heard anything like this but I wish I did I would of tried it lol.

Good they fixed it I guess as it probably would of been annoying to some people.

MickersPosted:

Luckily it didn't work against me anyway..