Apple's desktop computers and iPhones may be vulnerable to internet criminals after a US security firm found a way to breach the company's defence systems.

Baltimore-based Independent Security Evaluators has claimed that three of its employees were able to take control of iPhones using a Wi-Fi link or by tricking users on to a bogus website.

Charles Miller, principal security analyst at the firm, warned that a similar breach in Apple's desktop systems was also likely to be found after more research and testing was conducted.

The security firm reported that it took them around ten days to identify the flaw, and that they were then able to use the infiltrated iPhones to make calls or send text messages, access emails and address books, and check call and web browsing history

Apple spokeswoman Lynn Fox said: "We're looking into the report submitted by [Integrated Security Evaluators] and we always welcome feedback on how to improve our security."

The iPhone, Apple's first mobile, was released to much fanfare in the US in June this year and is expected to be available in UK by the end of 2007.

Security of phones and other mobile devices is coming under increasing scrutiny as more items of this kind are able to be added on to a company's IT network.

According to recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent)