Apple computer technicians have found and fixed a bug they think may have allowed hackers to access certain iCloud accounts and release nude photographs of celebrity actresses, a tech magazine reported.
The system vulnerability was in Apple’s Find My iPhone software, according to Engadget.
It’s still not clear if the fix completely solves the hacking problem. But Engadget reported the action was taken just hours after a hacker, or group of hackers, sent out nude photos of some of Hollywood’s best-known starlets, including Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, Victoria Justice and Kirsten Dunst, USA Today reported.
Some of the stars admitted their accounts had been hacked, while others, including Miss Justice, claimed the photos were fakes, USA Today reported.
“We take user privacy very seriously and are actively investigating this report,” Nat Kerris, a spokeswoman for the California-based company, said in an issued statement.
Engadget said the Find My iPhone system was vulnerable to “brute force” attacks, when a hacker simply inputs a variety of passwords until one works. Most sites lock out users after a few tries. Engadget said the Apple site did not, however.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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