Hacker Retracts Claim of Bypassing iPhone’s Passcode Security

Apple’s products have a reputation for being among the most secure devices in the world. The Cupertino firm has been working hard to protect that image, which a security researcher recently threatened. In a test, the hacker explained how he was able to bypass the iPhone’s passcode security wall. He has since retracted this claim after Apple stepped in to “correct” him.

The cybersecurity expert is Matthew Hickey, co-founder of the security firm Hacker House. In a recent test, Hickey claimed that he was basically able to “brute force” his way into accessing one of Apple’s devices, Apple Insider reports.

“Instead of sending passcode one at a time and waiting, send them all in one go,” Hickey had said at the time. “If you send your brute-force attack in one long string of inputs, it’ll process all of them and bypass the erase data feature.”

Naturally, the Cupertino firm took umbrage at this claim and a spokesperson stepped in to call the results of the test an “error.”

“The recent report about a passcode bypass on iPhone was in error, and a result of incorrect testing,” the spokesperson said.

Hickey has since conceded that his method may not have been the most reliable in producing accurate results, Digital Trends reports. In a recent statement, the researcher explained that there are important considerations with regards to his methods that he might have overlooked.

“I went back to double check all code and testing. When I sent codes to the phone, it appears that 20 or more are entered but in reality it’s only ever sending four or five pins to be checked,” Hickey said.

While the hacker did inform Apple of the vulnerability when he found it, the company’s reaction to push back on the claim was only to be expected. Security is one of the firm’s most treasured marketing aspects. Any threat to that could impact sales numbers.