MacBook Air hacked in two minutes

Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:52PM EDT

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Still think your trendy Mac is immune to hack attacks? Think again. According to PCWorld, the MacBook Air was hacked within two minutes by Charlie Miller, who was generously rewarded with a laptop and $10,000 for his effort.

Miller, who had previously exposed vulnerabilities in the iPhone last year, was among a handful of contestants who entered the PWN 2 Own contest that took place at the CanSecWest security conference.

Show organizers tempted contestants with a Sony Vaio, a Fujitsu U810 and the MacBook Air, which were given away to the first person able to hack into the system, and read the contents contained in a hidden file. On the second day, Miller was able to direct one of the show's organizers to a site laced with his exploit code, which ultimately gave him complete control over the computer in a matter of seconds.

Details of his exploit wouldn't be made public due to a non-disclosure agreement. But since the hackers were instructed to take advantage of pre-loaded software, it's possible he could've gained access to the computer through Apple's Safari web browser.

Related:

Are Macs vulnerable to viruses?
Is Apple taking a 'Safari' into malware territory?

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  • 6 Posted by sealgair03 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    There isn't a marketed OS out there that cannot be hacked if it is on an open network. Period. Mac doesnt get targeted as much because 1) there are more windows PCs, 2) more tools available to hack a pc, 3) windows is gaining market in servers. 4) high schools now teach both networking and programming on windows pc's. Add them together and you get more dumb kids that keep my job safe.

  • 8 Posted by sandiskboy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    My mac has been hacked 0 times has 0 viruses and 0 spyware. I don't see what the issue would be if someone did hack my mac as they would still have several security layers to breach to get root.

  • 9 Posted by deanbroder on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Concerning Comment #1: Please look at PC design and speed. Mac blows PCs away, on nearly every application. Nearly every wireless network can be hacked by the best, over time. Take your PC to the corner bistro. Based on your commentary, nobody with any brains will hack your PC because you are a Bore.

  • 10 Posted by amway_global on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I disagree with this article witch is showing to the public that a mac is not a good choice for a computer. the mac is a good computer and was probaly hacked by a person who spends countless hours on his computer stealing information and is a expert in what he does. but for me the mac air is a good and secure computer "if" u know how to secure it and portect it.

  • 11 Posted by amway_global on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I disagree with this article witch is showing to the public that a mac is not a good choice for a computer. the mac is a good computer and was probaly hacked by a person who spends countless hours on his computer stealing information and is a expert in what he does. but for me the mac air is a good and secure computer "if" u know how to secure it and portect it.

  • 12 Posted by amway_global on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I disagree with this article witch is showing to the public that a mac is not a good choice for a computer. the mac is a good computer and was probaly hacked by a person who spends countless hours on his computer stealing information and is a expert in what he does. but for me the mac air is a good and secure computer "if" u know how to secure it and portect it.

  • 13 Posted by amway_global on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I disagree with this article witch is showing to the public that a mac is not a good choice for a computer. the mac is a good computer and was probaly hacked by a person who spends countless hours on his computer stealing information and is a expert in what he does. but for me the mac air is a good and secure computer "if" u know how to secure it and portect it.

  • 14 Posted by amway_global on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I disagree with this article witch is showing to the public that a mac is not a good choice for a computer. the mac is a good computer and was probaly hacked by a person who spends countless hours on his computer stealing information and is a expert in what he does. but for me the mac air is a good and secure computer "if" u know how to secure it and portect it.

  • 15 Posted by rabforce on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    nowhere in the article did it suggest nor is it even implying that the mac is not a good choice for a computer. it's not news when a pc gets hacked. owing to its own popularity as being of less hackable or more of a secure computer that the mac merits news coverage like this one.

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