Yesterday, Apple released iOS 4.3.3 claimed resolves the iPhone much famous bug tracking. Given the amount of uncertainty in this story since its inception, we have developed the patch test.
Two AT & T iPhone using 4 smartphones - conveniently white and black - we've updated each to iOS 4.3.3. We enabled a localization Services and disabled on the other. We then have the home of our boroughs (Manhattan and Queens) to see what we could find some 12 hours later. Here's what we found.
IPhone Tracker
The first, easiest way to look at data on your iPhone is using app for free Director of Pete iPhoneTracker. The application is designed for access to the file that is saved on your computer during synchronization and chart data, in the weekly nuggets on a map. When we tested this a few weeks ago, the results were clear: while rogue location points was the card, for the most part, results appear surprisingly accurate, showing that the iPhone we follow-up work and monitoring us on vacation. This time, however, nothing. Neither of the iPhone we tested showed any evidence of location of data collected and stored in the backup files. So far so good.
Roll-Up-Your-sleeves approach
We decided to take our test slightly more far. The last time that we have watched the data tracking, we discovered that it is always stored in the same file - regardless of the iPhone. On a PC, it can be found under Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. The file can be opened using the SQLite database browser program, which allows you to see all location data stored by the iPhone, including points of latitude and longitude for cell towers and wireless networks.
From there, it is possible to export these data points to Excel and to convert it into an easily searchable format by Google Earth using the program KMLCSV converter. After his conversion, you can draw all the points of data using Google Earth to reveal a shocking granular view of your travel. Forget the weekly nuggets - we are talking about the minute data to another. To get a sense of how closely the iPhone was followed, watch the slide show: slide shows the location of the network data wireless for a 45 minute walk.
This time, however, this same file only contained virtually no data whatsoever. It collect all the data was not linked to monitoring. It is also interesting to note that the size of this file has decreased by 15 times. Before the 4.3.3 upgrade iOS file weighed 380 KB. Later: 24 KB. Some other files in this folder have also changed in size considerably. We have tried five largest opening in SQLite files - such as they were the best candidates for the monitoring of data - but nothing even remotely related. This brings us to the conclusion that location data is, as claimed by Apple, is no longer being saved on your computer.
Continue reading: iOS Forensics
iOS Software Forensic
After that we ensured that the iOS 4.3.3 had deleted backups iTunes georeferenced information, we wanted to know what geographic information continued to live on the iPhone. To do this, we turned to forensics iOS software. Although there are several competing solutions in this space, we settled on the Lantern Version 2.0 of Kanata Forensic (599$-$ 699), who won a reputation for its capacity, simplicity and the interface familiar iTunes-esque.
The process of retrieving the data using lantern is incredibly simple. Because the software allows you to examine the phone directly, rather than his backup, we did not need to worry Resync with iTunes. Simply, we logged on each phone, launched the lantern and he sought to acquire as much data as possible to the connected device. For two phones, we retrieved information about the phone (device), calling history, SMS/MMS messages, Internet use, voice memos, bookmarks and a calendar of events. In the case of the iPhone with localization Services disabled - which Wi - Fi has been enabled - Lantern retrieved information about which wireless networks it was connected, including the MAC addresses of wireless routers. Very cool.
While the Lantern has a work remarkable all retrieve voicemail messages to devices text messages, post-iOS 4.3.3 there is no information location-based or phone, with or without location Services enabled. This brings us to the conclusion that iOS 4.3.3 has to be hidden, encrypted, or moved location-based information so that it is either invisible forensics software to even dedicated or, more likely, it is followed is more than information.
iOS 4.3.3 Kills Tracking
Apple applications that update the iOS 4.3.3 software addresses three issues: it reduces the size of the cacheIt is no longer back the cache up to iTunesIt deletes the cache completely when location Services is disabled
It is clear that the size of the cache is significantly reduced. There are, however, some other large files in the folder of the database, as noted, raising issues. However, we are unable to find the information in these files location. It is also clear that any location information is not be backed up in iTunes. We have this established by Director Pete Tracker iPhone and manual approach "roll-up-your-sleeves". Finally, using the software of forensics iOS lantern, we examined directly to these two iPhones - not backups - and not found any geo-referenced information, regardless of location Services. Once again, it is possible that Apple has disguised this information somewhat inventive, but if it is there, she managed to escape to forensic $600 dedicated software.
The iOS 4.3.3 patch addresses what he claims address and iOS users wary of monitoring features can breathe a sigh of relief.
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