Apple iPhone owners might want to be cautious when plugging their device into an unknown charger as it may result in a hack.
Researchers from Georgia Tech Information Security Center presented how they were able to hack into an iPhone using a white box made from a 3D printer.
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During the presentation at the Black Hat cyber security conference in Las Vegas, the researchers showed how they installed software qualified of having the same mechanics as an Apple charger.
The slightly larger mock-Apple charger was named Mactans.
Researcher Billy Lau stated how a hacker could use the Mactans to install malicious software, notably a Trojan.
"After the Trojan is installed, an iPhone owner could carry on without knowing their phone is being attacked," reported Chenda Ngak of CBSNews.com, noting that an app can be replaced with a replica.
An example was provided with the Facebook mobile app. The researchers were able to install a copy of the Facebook app and nothing appears different from the original. The Trojan can be within the replicated app and commence its troubles once the phone is turned off.
According to Lau, any iPhone app can be affected by such iPhone charger hackings.
The researchers added that hacking in the form of screen sharing is possible as well, which can survey the device and steal information, from banking details and home addresses.
Lau noted that the researchers have been in contact with Apple and that a feature in the upcoming iOS 7 notifies the user when a third-party charger is plugged in, however, the feature is not present in the current iOS 6. Apple has not issued a comment on the story.
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