Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile

Security hole in iPhone 4S allows Siri to access password protected phones

Mike Dunn
By

Siri-iPhone-4S-AssistantEveryone seems to love Siri, the friendly personal assistant built into the latest Apple iPhone 4S. People might not love her as much if they knew that she can leave your phone vulnerable. Security company Sophos has uncovered a security hole around Siri that allows people to use your phone even if you have a screen lock.

If  you don’t know what Siri is yet, here is a quick crash course in everything you need to know.  In the iPhone 4S default settings Siri is configured to function even if the screen is locked. This means that if you need to make a quick call to your friend, or shoot off a text message that you will be late to a meeting you don’t have to waste time unlocking your screen to do those simple tasks. The problem comes when an owner has a lock screen they can still access Siri, and her wealth of knowledge.

Recommended Videos

From a locked iPhone 4S anyone can access Siri and ask her anything you want, and she might even surprise you with some funny responses. You can also send emails and text messages from a locked iPhone 4S. You will need to know the name of the contact you are trying to message, but you are able to communicate through a locked phone. You are not able to launch any apps, or get information about contacts while the phone is locked.

Related

The cause of this security hole is due to the default setting allowing Siri to work even with the protected lock screen up. To change this setting you simply have to go to setting, general, and then Passcode lock on your iPhone 4S. Once there you want to make sure Siri is turned off.

It is a little surprising to see that Apple even has the option to have Siri function when a password protected lock screen is up, let alone make that the default option on every phone sold. If you are an iPhone 4S owner make sure you change this setting in your phone, and if you know someone who owns an iPhone 4S now is your chance to send out funny emails on their behalf.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mike Dunn
Mike Dunn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mike graduated from University of Arizona with a degree in poetry, and made his big break by writing love sonnets to the…
Why you should buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max instead of the iPhone 15 Pro
Someone holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max outside on a patio, showing the back of the Natural Titanium color.

If you want the best iPhone money can buy in 2024, you have two options: the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. They have the same chipset, similar display technology, nearly identical cameras, etc. It's a really close battle, save for the fact that the iPhone 15 Pro is $200 cheaper.

It might be tempting to save some cash and choose the iPhone 15 Pro, but I recommend you splurge for the larger (and more expensive) iPhone 15 Pro Max. Why? Let me explain.
It's a big iPhone you won't hate using

Read more
This one thing could make iOS 18 the best iPhone update in years
The Home Screen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple’s WWDC 2024 is just a couple of months away. As with every WWDC, we’ll see what Apple has in store for the next generation of software across its hardware portfolio, including the iPhone with iOS 18.

Rumors have been swirling about iOS 18 and how it will be “one of the biggest updates yet.” We know some features like RCS support in Messages are definitely coming, with other whispers of big home screen customization changes and more.

Read more
How to add a different home screen wallpaper on iOS 17
An iPhone with iOS 16, showing the new Lock Screen.

If you haven't used an iPhone in a while, or if you haven't tried to update your lock screen, they you might be happy to learn about some of the new customization features that are available in iOS 17. Although iOS has made some controversial changes to its UI, such as moving the notifications to the bottom of the lock screen, they are also more welcome changes to the customization options for the lock screen.

Introduced in iOS 16 was a slew of lock screen customization features to let you tweak your phone's lock screen to your liking, and these same features are available in iOS 17 as well. While the lock screen used to be just a static image, you can now make it more dynamic with options like cycling through collections of your photos, so you can show off your favorite photos of your pets, your family, or beautiful locations that you've visited.

Read more