Apple's new iPhone may never be secure, according to an encryption expert who believes that the device is "too powerful".

Phillip Dunkelberger, a former Apple employee and now president of encryption firm PGP, told vnunet.com that the computing power of the iPhone is so great that it will be almost impossible to protect completely.

"There are so many security issues with the iPhone, because it is not just a phone," he said. "From an IT guy's perspective it is a Linux computer with communications built in."

Dunkelberger agreed with the Jericho Forum in that IT departments should concentrate on protecting the data itself, rather than trying to block all potential security holes. 

He added that, if hackers did get control of the iPhone, they could use it to dial expensive phone lines and steal funds from users.

The iPhone has already become a target for crackers. DVD Jon has unlocked the activation process, a hacker has unlocked the phone from the AT&T network, and a security company has found a problem with the dialling software.