Connecting to this public network can permanently disable your iPhone's WiFi; FOR REAL! Here's why and how to fix it.

Those who have been on social media platforms like Facebook or Whatsapp must be well aware of all smartphone controversies regarding their vulnerabilities. Remember the killer number, 777888999?. "URGENT" please don't attend any Call of mob no ...777888999....if u attend. Call your mobile will blast .....pl share to your friends ...," one message read. Eventually, everything turned out to be a hoax for multiple obvious reasons. Another myth has been in the spotlight for few days, which claims that 'just getting near' the public network "%secretclub%power" will permanently disable your iPhone's WiFi functionality.' and we tested it ourselves so you won't have to. And it turns out; one can no longer call it a 'MYTH'.

Carl Schou, a reverse engineer, tweeted on 4th July warning iPhone users about a possible bug in the iOS operating system. According to Carl, hosting a public network with SSID' %secretclub%power' can permanently disable an iPhone's WiFi found in the network range. The tweet started gaining popularity as 518 Twitter users re-tweeted the post spreading concerns about iOS' functionality. Now the question arises, how can a network name mess with your phone's vital features?
 

The symbol '%' is used to mark the beginning of a command to the computer. Any system fed with a string involving this symbol will recognize it as an instruction rather than a simple plain text. In this case, the network name ''%secretclub%power" is decoded by the system and further instructs the OS to disable a phone's capability to detect or connect to wireless networks. Users reported being unable to switch on their WiFi button after experimenting with what Carl had informed them.

The only solution to this bug isn't for users with basic knowledge, as it involves playing with the phone's backup directory. We recommend you let a professional do this work for you, or else you are at a high risk of soft-bricking your device. Deleting the malicious files from known networks' .plist fixes the problem and restores your WiFi to its original state.
 

There has been no response from Apple Inc. or whatsoever, but hopefully, a security patch is expected to be installed in users' phones in the next update. The company is well known to produce phones with top-notch security and providing its customers with convenient electronic devices. Every once in two years, after the release of either a new iPhone or iOS, the company receives reports of minor bugs or glitches, and who knows what secret will surprise us next.