New iPhone hack raises the specter of smartphone viruses

Computer security experts are presenting a new security hole in the Apple (AAPL) iPhone that could be used by malicious hackers to spread a computer virus targeting smartphones.

According to website QuickPWN, cybersecurity researcher Charles Miller discovered an SMS hack six weeks ago and reported it to Apple, which has yet to respond to the threat. Miller and cybersecurity researcher Collin Mulliner will explain their iPhone SMS attack today at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas.

The concern is that once the technique is revealed, it may be used by others with malicious intent. The virus would come in the form of a text message, or SMS message, which stands for short message service. The text will contain a single square character, reports say. If you were to receive such a text, turn off your iPhone by holding down the home and power buttons and slide the red arrow across on the screen, or switch the iPhone into airplane mode.