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Skype users face iOS-like text-based crash bug


Reefa

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Skype users are reporting a character-based bug that can crash a system in much the same way that Apple's iOS was blighted.



An eight-character message is enough to crash the system, according to comments on a Skype forum and a report on the VentureBeat website.



The threat to Apple users was unlikely to come up in natural circumstances, but this one is far more likely to occur.



According to reports, the critical character string is http://: and VentureBeat said that, once the message is in your Skype history, it is hard to deal with and can in some circumstances render the application completely unusable.



The bug hits hardest on Skype for Windows, Android and iOS, while going more lightly on the Mac or Windows Metro options. VentureBeat tested the options and confirmed this.



Skype told the website that it is aware of the problem and is working on a fix. V3 has asked the firm for confirmation. For now, this is what it has reportedly shared: "We are aware of the problem and are working to provide a resolution."



Apple users faced a similar problem in May. iOS users were being hit with a simple text attack with similar results. Apple released a workaround at the end of the month and promised that it would solve any remaining problems.



"Apple is aware of an iMessage issue caused by a specific series of unicode characters and we will make a fix available in a software update. Until the update is available, you can use these steps to re-open the Messages app," it said.



"In Messages, swipe left to delete the entire thread, or tap and hold the malicious message, tap More, and delete the message from the thread."



v3.co.uk


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