A security flaw in the iPhone allows strangers to bypass the handset's lock screen with a few button presses.

In the video below, a Brazilian iPhone customer demonstrates the quick method to circumvent an iPhone's passcode-protected lock screen: tap the "Emergency Call" button, then enter three pound signs, hit the green Call button and immediately press the Lock button. That simple procedure gives a snoop full access to the Phone app on the iPhone, which contains the address book, voicemail and call history.

Wired.com tried out the procedure with complete success on an iPhone 4 running iOS 4.1, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system.

Update 11 a.m. PT: An Apple spokeswoman contacted Wired.com with a response regarding the security flaw: "We're aware of this issue and we will deliver a fix to customers as part of the iOS 4.2 software update in November."

Though the iPhone is hailed as one of the best-selling handsets on the market, security researchers have criticized the handset for its weak security. A very similar security flaw discovered on the iPhone in 2008 allowed people to easily bypass the lock screen to access mail, contacts and bookmarks. Apple later acknowledged the bug and issued a software update patching the issue.

Hat-tip: 9 to 5 Mac

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