Apple laptops can be hacked to self-destruct; flaw to be detailed by hacker next month

By on Jul 26, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Computers July 26, 2011

How’s this for an undocumented feature? Apple’s newer MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks have a security flaw that can allow hackers to remotely prevent the batteries from charging. Better yet, hackers can exploit the same flaw and remotely cause batteries to explode. Apple laptops’ new “smart” battery technology is intended to provide added control over power management, and it does just that. Unfortunately, it also gives hackers added control because the microcontroller chip that ships in recent Apple laptops can be accessed remotely using a default password shared by each and every notebook. Charlie Miller, the security expert who discovered the vulnerability, plans to showcase the flaw next month at the Black Hat security conference. There, Miller will show that he is able to access the battery controller remotely and cause it to refuse a charge, or even heat up until it catches fire and explodes. “These batteries just aren’t designed with the idea that people will mess with them,” Miller told Forbes last week. “What I’m showing is that it’s possible to use them to do something really bad.” Thankfully, the security expert also intends to showcase a fix for the flaw, which Apple will hopefully implement as soon as possible.

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  • Steve Jobs Jr.

    It’s not the hardware, it’s the OS.  True, the hardware is hands down superior to HP, Dell, etc., but it’s really the OS that makes it superior.  The battery isn’t made by Apple nor does it “run” OS_X and if PC’s were smart enough… we’ll… they’d have this same issue and probably do but nobody wants to talk about that.  Not yet.

  • Slappy

    I hope fewer people buy Apple computers.  That way, retards and terds for brains won’t congest the Apple Store and only the smartest people will still be using Apple Computers.  If all the PC rejects switched to Apple then Christ knows WTF would become of Apple.  Oh wait, I know, Microsoft.

  • Jesus

    Yea Apple is pure sh_t and we should hope and pray that they make products like HP’s DV6 series laptops huh?  With the faulty nVidia chips that you have to reflow every 3 days so you aren’t out 1200 bucks cause HP won’t stand behind their product.  

    Every one of you who have left a negative Apple comment was born from two full blown retards that screwed under the pale moonlight.  The only people with any damn sense is the ones who bought an Apple product. Shut ya cake holes ya stupid water heads.

  • Anonymous

    Opportunity for all mac haters to share there thoughts. Notify me when 1 macbook explodes. until then, shut your cake holes.

  • Melrockz

    these days are hackers’ galore. They seem to be hacking into everything, even batteries??!

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  • Reevosss7

    I got blocked from engadget for putting this report on there.
    I guess apple pay them to much lol.

  • Anonymous

    apple really doesn’t like security do they? hack an iphone with a pdf, hack safari easy… for all the talk about how godly apple products are their security absolutely sucks…

  • KCRic

    Wait, an Apple product with exploding batteries? If I recall, the iPhone has had similar issues – without being hacked. This is just great, my woman really wanted that new iVibe but isn’t getting it now.

  • KCRic

    Enjoy your iHadji but don’t whine to Jobs when the FBI comes knocking.

    I wonder though, do the speakers scream “allahu akbar” before it detonates? That would be hilarious…

  • http://twitter.com/_Markaveli Mr. Marley Jones

    Lol some of the commentors are full of shit… Any BGRumor that’s posted on this site is evidence of how Apple is the only perfect company but when it’s against Apple it’s bullshit? Please.

    As for me, I don’t really care. No proof, no reaction from me.

  • Guest

    Both has its issues, Mac was built to try and make it foolproof for its users, and Windows has its own problems but is just as serviceable. Users for both should be knowledgeable enough to fix their issues. If you don’t have that basic knowledge, then yes, you will argue yours is better than the other, otherwise, it’s a moot point folks. 

  • Haitian

    When will Apple learn or get the hint to invest in security.

    Wait, they know that they have millions of people convinced “My Apple is superior and flawless”. Educate yourselves people. Nothing’s perfect and don’t be ignorant or just plain stupid.

    Wake up.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cordell-Abney/100002516851688 Cordell Abney

    Theres a APP for that!

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