WebOS 1.2.0 Brings Security Fixes

Sunnyvale-based mobile phone maker Palm has released into the wild the webOS 1.2.0 flavor of its latest mobile operating system at the beginning of this week, and, although the new features included with it have been already discussed, it seems that there are some that haven't received the attention they were supposed to, such as the security issues the update was meant to fix.

Palm did say that the “release addresses several security issues with Palm webOS software,” and that they “thank Townsend Ladd Harris for his help in identifying some of the issues addressed in this release.” without providing more details, yet now the guys over at PreCentral did some digging and learned that the issue was related to the email application and malicious code in emails.

It seems that the problem in question would have enabled for an email with malicious code to deliver remote access to files on the WebOS device. The process has been demonstrated by Harris, who found it in webOS 1.1. Considering the fact that most Pre users are quite happy with the update, those who haven't installed webOS 1.2.0 yet should do it in the near future, to make sure their handset is as safe as it can be.

One other feature that the software update brought along was the possibility for Pre owners to purchase software solutions from the App Catalog by entering their credit card information on the device. It seems that the first applications that can be purchased from the software portal will become available starting today, with a small delay from the October 1 rumored initial availability of the feature.

webOS 1.2.0 also brought to the table the option to re-download an application that has been purchased and deleted from the handset, which is a great thing for users, by connecting all downloads to the user's Palm Profile. This way, in case one loses the phone or purchases a new one, one will have the opportunity to quickly install the apps already purchased.