Apple’s Safari 4 web browser has been in public testing for a week, but already top hackers have ripped it to shreds, with one claiming it’s “the easiest browser” to hack into.
Charlie Miller, a security researcher who last year won a $10,000 prize for hacking the security of a MacBook Air using Apple’s web browser, reckons Safari 4, while easy to use, is less secure than rivals from Microsoft and Firefox.
“It might be because I’m biased about the things I’m good at, but it’s the easiest browser [to hack],” Miller said in an interview with Computerworld.
“Apple’s products are really friendly to users, and Safari is designed to handle anything, including all kinds of file formats,” he said.”With a lot of functionality comes the increased chance of bugs. The more complex software is, the less secure it is.”
Miller is due to take part in the Pwn2Own hacker contest again this year, using a MacBook running Mac OS X, Safari and Firefox. The aim is to conquer the machine’s security. He’ll also be using a Sony Vaio P running Windows 7 with Internet Explorer 8 and Firefox to attempt the same thing. Hacking each machine before anyone else will net him $5,000.
We’ve been using Safari 4 for a week now, and it’s impressed our socks off. We also reckon it points towards a next-generation of iPhone software. What do you reckon? Shout up in the comments section below.
Out now | £free | Apple (via Computerworld)
