A security researcher, Carl Schou, has found that certain Wi-Fi networks with the percent symbol (%) in their names can disable Wi-Fi on iPhones and other iOS devices.
if an iPhone comes within range of a network named %secretclub%power, the device won’t be able to use Wi-Fi or any related features, and even after resetting network settings, the bug may continue to render Wi-Fi on the device unusable, Carl Schow Tweeted.
You can permanently disable any iOS device's WiFI by hosting a public WiFi named %secretclub%power
— Carl Schou (@vm_call) July 4, 2021
Resetting network settings is not guaranteed to restore functionality.#infosec #0day
The bug can likely be avoided by not connecting to Wi-Fi networks with percent symbols in their names.
Bijay Pokharel
Bijay Pokharel is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Abijita.com and a freelance technology writer covering the tech industry since 2017. He specializes in cybersecurity, digital privacy, malware, vulnerabilities, and online safety, with a strong interest in internet protection and women’s online security. A dedicated tech enthusiast and continuous learner, Bijay approaches his professional work with clarity, rational thinking, and a calm, solution-oriented mindset.





