Apple on July 8 said it was working to patch a vulnerability that hackers could use to break into the company's popular iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch gadgets. Engineers at the California firm are fixing a weakness pointed out by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
BSI warned of a flaw that would let hackers infiltrate Apple mobile devices by duping users into opening PDF document files booby-trapped with malicious computer code.
Possible "attack scenarios for cyber-criminals" include accessing passwords, email messages, contact lists, or built-in cameras and eavesdropping on phone conversations or getting location information, according to BSI.
The agency recommended that Apple device users guard against hackers by not opening PDF documents from unfamiliar sources. Apple gadget users should limit Web browsing to reliable websites and avoid clicking on links in emails unless they are certain where they lead, BSI advised.