Security experts warn iOS users to beware a five-second video that has the potential to bring their iPhone or any other iOS device to a complete halt.
Video Crashes iPhones
MacWorld reports that a corrupt video link started making rounds this week. The short 5-second video has the potential to crash any iOS device. The issue was first discovered and reported by Reddit users.
Users clicking on the MP4 link in question will play a video that will cause their iPod Touch, iPad or iPhone to overload and eventually freeze. At that point the power button, Home button and the touchscreen become totally unresponsive. The only way have the affected iOS device working properly again is a hard reset.
According to The Verge, following the discovery of the five-second video that can force an iPhone to lock up and freeze, Apple's iOS software quality is being called into question again. Previously, iPhones were reported crashing due to a Facebook app update. Last year, a string of text disabled Apple's iMessage app on iPhones. Earlier this year, due to another software issue, Safari started randomly crashing on iPhones.
Past problems were resolved by Apple. As for the current issue, the company did not comment yet on crash problem. For now, it is recommended to just be wary of any links to MP4 files that you receive from unknown sources or even from your friends who may try to prank you.
Why It Happens?
According to tech experts, the reason why the short video is able to crash your iPhone is that clicking the link generates a loop. About 10 seconds after the video ends the loop will force your iPhone to crash. Tech experts have tested the link on several devices running the iOS 10.1 and the iOS 10.2 beta. All devices have become unresponsive and crashed.
In addition, tech experts tested the link on devices running as far back as iOS 5. The tests had all similar results. The iOS running devices all overload and gradually become unusable after playing the corrupted video.
It's not clear yet as to why this happens. The most likely reason, according to tech experts, is that it's simply a corrupted video that's some sort of memory leak. When the corrupted video is played, iOS isn't sure how to properly handle it. The issue isn't specific to a certain iOS build, because of the nature of the flaw.
What To Do?
Fortunately, for those who have fallen victim and have already played the video, there's a pretty simple solution to recovering their iPhone. After watching the corrupt video you will need to long-press the power button and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo in order to reset your iOS device. To reboot a new iPhone 7, you will need to long-press the volume-down button and power button at the same time.
The good news is that there doesn't seem to be any long-term effects from playing the video, according to 9to5Mac. It is also expected that Apple will address this issue in its next iOS update.
