iphone accessing a network

[erh3]

I don't know if this is the right forum for this question.

Our network administrator said that one of my co-workers iPhone is accessing our wireless network to access the Internet. The co-worker has a data plan and thought that by using the hot spot feature she was accessing the internet through her phone. I don't understand how this could occur. The network is an encrypted wireless network. He said the phone will look for the closest available network and log into it even though it is password protected. Is what he is saying true? It seems if it was then an iPhone could access any network anywhere.

[Tinto Tech]

He said the phone will look for the closest available network and log into it even though it is password protected. Is what he is saying true?

No, it is not, and depending on your position within your organisation, the statement should be challenged - or at least clarified.

If the wireless network is encrypted as you suggest, the iPhone can only establish a connection if it has been given the WPA or WEP access code. This could have been given to your colleague deliberately or have been discovered by other means.

The iPhone cannot be "forced", "rooted", or "jailbroken" to establish a connection without the key.

The only other way your colleague could have wireless network access is if the access point has been compromised, or if it has a "public access" port.

[Paul T]

We had a user who's account kept being locked out. He'd entered his LAN credentials in the iphone to use the wireless. All he did was cause about a week of hassle for himself.

cheers, Paul

[Tinto Tech]

All he did was cause about a week of hassle for himself.

...and added to the entertainment in the IT back-office, no doubt