The FBI cracked a San Bernardino terrorist’s phone with the help of professional hackers who discovered and brought to the bureau at least one previously unknown software flaw, according to people familiar with the matter.
The new information was then used to create a piece of hardware that helped the FBI to crack the iPhone’s four-digit personal identification number without triggering a security feature that would have erased all the data, the individuals said.
The researchers, who typically keep a low profile, specialize in hunting for vulnerabilities in software and then in some cases selling them to the U.S. government. They were paid a one-time flat fee for the solution.
Cracking the four-digit PIN, which the FBI had estimated would take 26 minutes, was not the hard part for the bureau. The challenge from the beginning was disabling a feature on the phone that wipes data stored on the device after 10 incorrect tries at guessing the code. A second feature also steadily increases the time allowed between attempts.
The FBI has found a way into San Bernardino Syed Farook’s iPhone, and is now dropping bids to force Apple to help them crack into the phone. See all the latest developments in the case, and why the case isn’t over yet. (Jhaan Elker/The Washington Post)
[vc_btn title=”More on FBI hiring hackers” style=”outline” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”left” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fworld%2Fnational-security%2Ffbi-paid-professional-hackers-one-time-fee-to-crack-san-bernardino-iphone%2F2016%2F04%2F12%2F5397814a-00de-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html|title:More%20on%20FBI%20hiring%20hackers|target:%20_blank”][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” message_box_color=”turquoise”]
By Ellen Nakashima, WashingtonPost.com, SouthFloridaReporter.com, April 13, 2016
[/vc_message]Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components