October 25, 2008 8:07 AM PDT

Security flaw revealed in T-Mobile's Google phone

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A computer security specialist said the flaw could be exploited by an attacker who might trick a G1 user into visiting a booby-trapped Web site.
(From The New York Times)

The story "Security flaw revealed in T-Mobile's Google phone" published October 25, 2008 at 8:07 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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12 comments

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If the G1 is the new Sidekick for both T-Mobile and the Hollywood harlot, when should we be expecting the salacious celebutante exploit to start floating around the web?
Posted by Jamil_Buie (2 comments )
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There's a bigger problem than this with the G1 - POP3 and IMAP email don't work. I'd rather google concentrate on that before fixing this bug.
Posted by kgsbca (185 comments )
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Can you really call that an exploit? The user would have to be drunk, incapacitated, or just stupid to fall for this "security flaw." First, the user would be notified of what services the 'malicious' software accesses on the G1. If the user is so moronic as to continue, he/she would have to intentionally download and install the application. Then he/she would have to run the application from the device.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be patched; I'm just saying the so called exploit is awfully harmless considering the way Google engineered Android. If anything, this story ought to be praise to Google's engineering team.
Posted by gben86 (1 comment )
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There's a bigger problem than this with the G1 - POP3 and IMAP email don't work. I'd rather google concentrate on that before fixing this bug

Not everybody is a Corporate Email Drone. The phone is great for what it does . Go get your Crackberry's and Your Sweaty Palm's and do your corporate Email clients.

Or embrace the future of a new operating system for hand held devices.

Step aside the future is coming through!!!
Posted by MassRaptor (1 comment )
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***? How is wanting POP and IMPA to work properly a sign of being a corporate email drone?
Posted by rapier1 (2578 comments )
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And thus begins the pain. Google is no better than MS or apple.
Posted by eltoro2827 (497 comments )
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massraptor, some of us "corporate email drones" just have small company accounts (do you have a job that requires the use of email?). I actually love the G1, but I don't want to carry around two devices just so I can get my mail. this isn't about "the future", not everybody is going to use gmail. my complaint said nothing about the OS, I just want the email client to work.
Posted by kgsbca (185 comments )
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kgsbca, this is the best part of the G1. someone can make you an email that client that will work for you. just wait.
Posted by haub123 (30 comments )
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haub123,

It has been one year since Android SDK became public. There are only a few dozens of apps. In comparison, iPhone SDK was available on March 08, and by July when iPhone 2.0 was released, there were 500+ apps.

The point is, developers go for the bigger markets. "Open" sounds good on paper, but at the end of the day, developers have to make a living.

If an important feature is not available from Google, I doubt third party developers will fill the gap.
Posted by johnqh (227 comments )
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true, but the first android phone has just been released compared to how long has the iphone been available? You neglected to mention this major difference.
Posted by Seaspray0 (8164 comments )
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haub, I understand, appreciate, and fully embrace what you say. It's just that email is a basic function, google and/or HTC should have been able to get this right before the product was released. I will be surprised if there isn't a better mail client next year, but I have the phone now.

johnqh, have a little patience. android will end up being the best thing to happen to mobile users since the iphone. it's going to force all of the mfrs and carriers to open up their devices, and ultimately, their networks. Apple is just better at the ecosystem thing, they have had a lot more experience at it than google, but just give them time.
Posted by kgsbca (185 comments )
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Am I surprised? No. I've yet to see any operating system that didn't have vulneabilities. In this case, I think they may have rushed this too fast. The email sync doesn't even work.
Posted by Seaspray0 (8164 comments )
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