Along with Apple’s new mobile operating system, iOS 5, comes over 200 new features for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch – one of which is a text-expansion tool entitled “Shortcut”. The tool allows users to save time by setting keywords, or “shortcuts”, which will automatically trigger certain phrases (an example would be setting “omw” to trigger “On my way”).

As convenient as this feature may be, it opens up a world of possibilities for pranksters should they get hold of your device. By accessing the “Settings” app, tapping “General,” selecting “Keyboard,” and then scrolling down to the “Add New Shortcut” button, some scumbag could make you appear to suck at grammar by changing “then” to “than”, “wear” to “where” and so on. They could also make your life a living hell by making a keyword like “hey” trigger a phrase such as “wanna come over and hump?”

Now that you know, take proper precautions so it doesn’t happen to you.

(via MSNBC)