WOW this is actually a problem

[crashoverride77]

As quoted on Wikipedia

"As of February 10, 2015, the iOS 8.1.3 release still contains a serious security flaw in cached screenshots created during multitasking. This security flaw has been known publicly to occur since October 5, 2013 and has persisted since iOS 7.0.2.[39] The iOS saves screenshots of all applications upon switching away from them so that when an application is opened it displays the saved screenshot for 2 seconds while the application loads in the background. This iOS feature is to give the illusion of immediate application response. However, due to the screenshots being saved for all screen orientations (3 for the iPhone and 4 for the iPad), users at times momentarily see screenshots that may be months old when loading applications, even browsing history that was performed under Safari's Private mode.[40] The problem manifests itself when using an application, switching out, changing orientation, and then switching back to the application. When the application loads, it temporarily displays the screenshot that was saved last time the application was in that particular orientation and switched away from, which is not necessarily what was saved last time the application was used. The temporary screenshots are a security issue because they can show any personal, business, or private data, which presents a significant security risk. This security flaw is not permanently mitigated by clearing out application cache or resetting all settings, as recommended by Apple. Resetting the device only clears screenshots saved prior to the reset, but new screenshots are saved every time an application is switched away from. This security flaw is not application or hardware specific, it is a known and persistent iOS flaw."


I thought iOS always did this since it got multitasking in 4.0 and its just part of the design in how it uses memory. I did not realise this is an ios 7-8 problem so it would be nice if they fix this since it's pretty crazy to sometimes see stuff that's weeks old.

 

[Abazigal]

I don't see it so much of a security flaw as it is a potential embarrassment. Imagine if you were surfing pornography or something and a screenshot was saved. Then you thought you closed the page. Next day, you are giving a presentation, exit to to to the safari browser to show something, and boom - your surfing history just got revealed to the entire audience.

 

[I7guy]

I don't see it so much of a security flaw as it is a potential embarrassment. Imagine if you were surfing pornography or something and a screenshot was saved. Then you thought you closed the page. Next day, you are giving a presentation, exit to to to the safari browser to show something, and boom - your surfing history just got revealed to the entire audience.

I guess the solution is to delete all tasks using task manager before opening up your phone to the outside world.

 

[Abazigal]

I guess the solution is to delete all tasks using task manager before opening up your phone to the outside world.

I don't think force/closing the app helps. You have to check the app first by opening it to effectively "clear out" the preview.

Have experienced this a few times (nothing embarrassing, mind you), so I can see how it might be an issue for some.

 

[C DM]

I don't think force/closing the app helps. You have to check the app first by opening it to effectively "clear out" the preview.

Have experienced this a few times (nothing embarrassing, mind you), so I can see how it might be an issue for some.

If you close the app then all that data gets cleared out since iOS doesn't have to keep track of it anymore for multitasking or anything like that.

 

[Brian Y]

How is this a security flaw?

I have personally just submitted an edit to that article. There is no security issue here. Privacy? yes. Security? no.

 

[goofy1958]

When will people understand that Wikipedia is NOT an authoritative source for ANYTHING. Just because it is on the internet does NOT make it true.

 

[BrettApple]

I don't see it so much of a security flaw as it is a potential embarrassment. Imagine if you were surfing pornography or something and a screenshot was saved. Then you thought you closed the page. Next day, you are giving a presentation, exit to to to the safari browser to show something, and boom - your surfing history just got revealed to the entire audience.

And I have seen exactly this. Not the presentation part (yet), but a family members iPad I used was in private mode in Safari. I opened it and it was all normal and cleared. Then I exited the app, rotated it to landscape, hit the app switcher and boom, old screenshots of explicit content. Wow...

Not a "security" issue, but more of a privacy exploit. I've noticed the same thing on my 6 Plus. And 4s.

Do note I wasn't snooping, I was actually using the iPad to get on Amazon for some electronics and research in Safari. It can happen easily without doing it intentionally.

Those screenshots can stay there for months too. It happened to me again on the same iPad about a month later, same screenshot.

 

[Carlanga]

Some apps like my bank app for example will make the "screenshot" of the multitasking blurry. So no real issues here.

 

[Xenomorph]

I had a picture of Jennifer Lawrence show up in multi-tasking, even though it was some image I briefly viewed weeks earlier.

Safari would have no tabs open. The photo wasn't saved anywhere. But sure enough, double-click Home and I'd see her.

I did a DFU Restore and set iOS 8 up as new to finally clear it out.

 

[crashoverride77]

When will people understand that Wikipedia is NOT an authoritative source for ANYTHING. Just because it is on the internet does NOT make it true.

If it's on wiki it is good enough for me to use on MacRumors. Stop coming to a forum that is not an authoritative source and than complain when other people are not using authoritative sources.
I'm not saying it's a security issue, just the behaviour in general is actually acknowledged as a bug and not part of the design how I thought it was.

----------

And I have seen exactly this. Not the presentation part (yet), but a family members iPad I used was in private mode in Safari. I opened it and it was all normal and cleared. Then I exited the app, rotated it to landscape, hit the app switcher and boom, old screenshots of explicit content. Wow...

Not a "security" issue, but more of a privacy exploit. I've noticed the same thing on my 6 Plus. And 4s.

Do note I wasn't snooping, I was actually using the iPad to get on Amazon for some electronics and research in Safari. It can happen easily without doing it intentionally.

Those screenshots can stay there for months too. It happened to me again on the same iPad about a month later, same screenshot.

Yeah it's not really a security issue but it's still an issue that I thought wasn't even a issue and just how ios works. It could sort of lead to a potential securty issue if sensitive information is displayed which could happen.
Im just glad this is actually an acknowledged ios 7-8 issue and not by design.

 

[Abazigal]

When will people understand that Wikipedia is NOT an authoritative source for ANYTHING. Just because it is on the internet does NOT make it true.

The issue cited in Wikipedia is no less relevant though. I don't think Apple intended to convey the impression of speed by showing us previews of past browser sessions.

 

[DoctorKrabs]

The screenshots are part of the system cache, which is cleared after any restore or OTA update.

It is also cleared when the device runs out of space, as it frees up space.

 

[7enderbender]

Ok, now that my wife and Apple somehow managed to force an irreversible "upgrade" to iOS8 on her 5s I now need to actually learn how to deal with this stupid version.

With respect to this topic here: is there any way to stop the screenshots altogether or turn off "multitasking"?

 

[I7guy]

Ok, now that my wife and Apple somehow managed to force an irreversible "upgrade" to iOS8 on her 5s I now need to actually learn how to deal with this stupid version.

With respect to this topic here: is there any way to stop the screenshots altogether or turn off "multitasking"?

Unfortunately, there isn't. This is probably the one area that was better in iOS 6.

 

[steve62388]

I have just started noticing this recently when I switch to Safari it shows a page from months ago. It's nothing embarrassing or a security risk I just find it annoying because I know something is not working correctly. Is there any way to force an update?

 

[adamhenry]

I have seen something like this in the music app. When I switch away from music and then come back to it, it immediately displays a song that was played previously and then shortly updates to the one actually playing.

I'lll have to look for it in other apps. It doesn't bother me but I'll look for it.

 

[tryphone]

Well, this is nothing new coming from android. Android has done this since 4.0 (ice cream sandwich) and yeah, it can be quite embarrassing at times

 

[iamMacPerson]

If you close the app then all that data gets cleared out since iOS doesn't have to keep track of it anymore for multitasking or anything like that.

Not the saved state screen shot shown in multitasking. I think the only thing that might dump it is to close all apps and rebooting the device. I am not certain, if that will work but I have a gut feeling. It happens all the time on my 6 Plus and Air 2. Has since iOS 7 with my previous devices.

 

[C DM]

Not the saved state screen shot shown in multitasking. I think the only thing that might dump it is to close all apps and rebooting the device. I am not certain, if that will work but I have a gut feeling. It happens all the time on my 6 Plus and Air 2. Has since iOS 7 with my previous devices.

Odd, I don't ever recall seeing an outdated screenshot in multitasking.

 

[marvz]

When will people understand that Wikipedia is NOT an authoritative source for ANYTHING. Just because it is on the internet does NOT make it true.

Actually Wikipedia is more correct and contains better information and facts than many encyclopedias.

 

[Abazigal]

Ok, now that my wife and Apple somehow managed to force an irreversible "upgrade" to iOS8 on her 5s I now need to actually learn how to deal with this stupid version.

With respect to this topic here: is there any way to stop the screenshots altogether or turn off "multitasking"?

Not that I know of, except having the habit of opening safari ever so often to "reset the image cache", especially before you give any major presentation that might require you to go to Safari and hand off the device to another person.

 

[mrex]

WOW this is actually a problem

Well, this is nothing new coming from android. Android has done this since 4.0 (ice cream sandwich) and yeah, it can be quite embarrassing at times

really? how can you do it on android? my android doesnt show "screenshots" about some last opened applications if i changed the orientation from a portrait view to the landscape for example. could you provide step by step instruction? i would like to try it on android.

this is an example: im now using tapatalk (portrait) and when i close it, then turn my ipad to lanscape mode, open the tapatalk app again, i see a screenshot from my gallery when i was using taptalk on the lanscape mode but closed several hours ago...

it doesnt bother me, but i can understand why it could be a real problem and a security issue.

 

[MacOG728893]

I had no idea what anyone was talking about because I never encountered the problem. I just tried it on my iPad Air, low and behold, I mimicked this issue.

I could see how this might be problematic Hell, gives me more of reason to resist temptation! Porn gets old, fast lol.

 

[I7guy]

The "new" multi tasking screen is thr one area where the previous way worked better, was easier to use. Flicking is a real pita and not as fast as the old way.