While updating my iPhone apps earlier today, I noticed an update for the PayPal iPhone app – version 3.0.1. When I read the changelog or update details, it mentioned that the version included an important security update. It didn’t specify what type of security update so I decided to do a little research. Found out from CNET that the update was a patch for a security hole in the iPhone app.

The now patched security flaw could have allowed malicious users to do a “man-in-the-middle” attack, tricking users into thinking that they’re accessing the real PayPal site when actually they aren’t and intercept transaction data sent between the iPhone and a Wi-Fi hotspot. This can happen when PayPal users access their account using an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

Aside from patching the security flaw on the iPhone app, PayPal has also announced that it will provide a 100% reimbursement for any fraudulent activity caused by the flaw.

If you have the PayPal app on your iPhone, make sure that you immediately upgrade to the latest version. If you haven’t, do not access your account until you’ve installed the update. And just to be sure, avoid or never access your PayPal or bank account on your mobile device over an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

The latest version of the Paypal iPhone app is now available in the App Store.

[via CNET News]

This is an update to an earlier post about the missing James Kim, senior editor of CNET.

In a press conference yesterday, police authorities report that they have found James Kim. However, it was too late. What the search and rescue workers found was his lifeless body.

It was 11 days after they first made the mistake of taking Bear Camp Road after missing a freeway turnoff on the way to Highway 42. This particular road was often used during the summer but was an impassable road during winter.

Problems when it began to snow and the car started to lose traction. They tried to go back but they got trapped by the heavy snow. They waited for help for more than a week. Using the car heater at night to keep them warm and then burned the tires after they ran out of gas. After being stranded for seven days, James went out on foot along the rugged countryside to look for help.

Along the way he left stuff like two gray long-sleeve shirts, one red T-shirt, one wool sock, a pair of gray pants and pieces of an Oregon map to mark his path. His body was found yesterday about 2 kilometers away from their car. Exactly, two days after his wife and two daughters were spotted and rescued.

“It seems somewhat superhuman to me that he got as far as he did, given his lack of resources and the fact that he had barely anything to eat for nine days,” “He was a highly motivated individual, trying to get downhill on this terrain and seek help.” – Josephine County Undersheriff Brian Anderson

“I admire his effort. He had fortitude,” “He had a strong will to survive and I can tell by his effort that he put a lot of thought into what he was doing.” – Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters

At the CNET headquarters in San Francisco, the company decided to cancel their holiday party scheduled for Wednesday night. The office’s 800 employees gathered in groups to grieve.

Cause of his death is still unknown and autopsy reports have yet to be released.

My deepest condolences to the family of James Kim.

CNET senior editor James Kim is still missing. He and his family were last seen on November 25th. They were on vacation and drove up to the great Pacific Northwest. They were driving a 2005 silver Saab station wagon with California personalized plates of “DOESF.”

UPDATE:
Just today, his wife Kati and two daughters were found alive and well in Southwest Oregon.

If you’re into gadgets and technology, I’m sure that you know or have seen James Kim. I remember the first time I saw him on tv, it was on TechTV (which is now the channel called G4) which was on aired free for a short while in local cable channels in the Philippines. I also enjoy watching his reviews of the latest gadgets for CNET.com. The last review that James did was a review for the Microsoft Zune.

Thank God that his wife and kids are now safe. Let us continue to pray for James so that he would be found as quickly as possible and that he would be alive and safe.

Those with information about the Kim family’s whereabouts are asked to contact San Francisco police immediately at 415-558-5508 during normal business hours and at 415-553-1071 after-hours. The Portland Police Bureau’s Missing Persons Unit can be reached at 503-823-0446.

Click here to see the official Police report.