The annual CanSecWest security conference's PWN 2 OWN hacking contest has seen a MacBook Air compromised in just two minutes, though it couldn't be hacked over the network but instead required an operator to visit a specially crafted web page where some exploit code allowed the Air to be hacked.
Nobody was able to hack into the systems on the first day of the contest when contestants were only allowed to attack the computers over the network, but on Thursday the rules were relaxed so that attackers could direct contest organisers using the computers to do things like visit Web sites or open e-mail messages.
Charlie Miller, who last year hacked into an iPhone, won $10,000 and the computer for his "prowess". Other computers on offer were a Sony Vaio and a Fujitsu U810.
Speculation is that the exploit took advantage of a vulnerability in the Safari web browser, given that it's likely no non-standard software had been installed on the MacBook Air. Unfortunately, we won't actually know because Miller signed a non-disclosure agreement which means the details can't be shared.
More proof, as if anyone still needed it, not to visit dodgy web sites on unprotected computers.
(Via PC World)
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