In the old days, if you wanted aliens for outer space to have access to you thoughts all you had to do was put on a hat made of tin foil and two antenna. Now, you can just buy an Apple (AAPL) iPhone.

According to The New York Times, an organized group of hackers have gotten access to the iPhone using the device’s WiFi port. The hack can be used to download just about everything on the handset, including the user’s name, rank, and serial number. Credit card data and e-mail addresses are extra.

A group called Independent Security Evaluators claims that “Once you did manage to find a hole, you were in complete control.”

The popularity of the iPhone makes it an easy target. But, it does point out that the privacy protection and bug problems on PCs is moving to the mobile space.

While large private networks like the ones controlled by AT&T (T) Wireless may be harder to access, now that more and more handsets will have access to open networks like WiFi and WiMax security issues are just a matter of time.

It is ironic. As Google (GOOG) and other firms push for open access to wireless broadband and handheld devices are shifting to use inexpensive applications like VoIP instead of the metered minutes from the big phone companies, the price the user pays will be attacks on his private data.

Must be the price of progress.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.