iPhones and Macs are known for their superior defence system against viruses, but that is about to change. A group of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology claims that they can install malware on Apple iOS devices just by connecting them to a charger.

According to Billy Lau, Yeongjin Jang, and Chengyu Song, they have created a proof of concept malicious charger called Mactans, which can compromise an iOS devise within a minute. Mactans can inject arbitrary software into the current generation Apple devices that run the latest iOS.

"All users are affected, as our approach requires neither a jailbroken device nor user interaction," the summary of their planned presentation reads.

Apple's mobile iOS only allows apps and accessories that are approved by Apple, but the group said that that its defences can still be bypassed using non-conventional method.

"In this presentation, we demonstrate how an iOS device can be compromised within one minute of being plugged into a malicious charger. We first examine Apple's existing security mechanisms to protect against arbitrary software installation, then describe how USB capabilities can be leveraged to bypass these defence mechanisms.

"To ensure persistence of the resulting infection, we show how an attacker can hide their software in the same way Apple hides its own built-in applications.

Their charger uses BeagleBoard, an open-source hardware single-board computer, which the trio chose to "demonstrate with ease with which innocent-looking, malicious USB charges can be constructed."

"While Mactans were built with limited amount of time and a small budget, we also briefly consider what more motivated, well-funded adversaries could accomplish. Finally, we recommend ways in which users can protect themselves and suggest security features Apple could implement to make the attacks we describe substantially more difficult to pull off," they wrote in their summary.

Jang told Forbes that they have contacted Apple about their invention, but they haven't heard from the computer giant yet.

The Georgia Tech researchers will demonstrate their invention at the Black Hate security conference in Las Vegas in July.