Smart Cover can be used to unlock an iPad 2, security flaw reveals
The iPad 2 Smart Cover accessory can be used to gain access to a locked iPad, 9to5 Mac reported
on Friday. Here's how it works: take a locked iPad 2 and hold the power
button until the “Slide to Power Off” message appears, and then close
the Smart Cover. When you lift the Smart Cover again and tap “Cancel,”
the iPad 2 will allow you to access the last application that was open.
This could be a big threat for anyone who was accessing contacts,
viewing a website or checking email before he or she locked the iPad.
The good news is any would-be thief does not have full access to the
tablet, only the last application used. The bug has been spotted in iOS
5, although 9to5 Mac said it has also received reports from
users noticing the flaw in IOS 4.3. Currently, the best fix for
concerned users is to turn off Smart Cover unlocking entirely.