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Apple "damaging wireless security" with iPhone "bricking" policy - analysts

by Guy J Kewney | posted on 02 October 2007

"With the iPhone update, Apple is now producing a fear of taking their patches. If they release a functionality update and security fixes at the same time in the future, some users will think twice about applying it. They'll ask themselves, 'What will it break this time?' and, 'Will it backfire on me?'"

The analysis by Gregg Keizer quotes Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security.

Keizer also quotes Garter's John Pescatore. "There should definitely be a separation between security and functionality," he said. "Users shouldn't be forced to accept new functionality to get security fixes."

The full analysis doesn't target Apple alone: it also pinpoints Microsoft's anti-piracy "Genuine Advantage" software, which now smuggles itself into personal computers as part of the regular security update.

Full analysis at Computerworld.