Jailbreakme.com How-to and Implications

It has been over a week and the dust has settled on much of the iPhone world over the jailbreak. First, I will do a how-to, then a analysis of the implications of this implementation and then Apple's response. 


These instructions will work with almost any Apple iOs device including iPad even those using 3.2 or 3.2.1 and of course the big news is it will work with the iPhone 4 and it could not be simpler to do. On the first day the jailbreak was released there were issues with facetime and MMS but those have now been ironed out.


How-To: 
1. First thing you should always do it back-up your iPhone before you do anything like this. So plug it in and load iTunes and back that thing up. I also like to transfer my purchases as well just to make sure I have those in case I need them later.


2. Then take your device and point the safari browser to jailbreakme.com and swipe the swiper to the right. It will begin and download the jailbreak and install cydia on your home screen.

3. Really that is all. Such a simple jailbreak it could be counted as one step. Read further for steps to secure your phone.

Implications: It is very troubling that an iOs device can be exploited like this. A hacker could simply make a website that looks like this and then install anything onto your device like malware, trojans, or a virus. Comex and friends used an exploit in the pdf viewer that is built into safari in order to accomplish this feat. Somehow using certain fonts enabled them to make changes to the phone. Apple needs to fix this exploit as soon as possible, The security implications of this exploit are enormous and this does not just pertain to people who jailbreak it applies to all of the millions of users of iOs devices. So how can you stop it or prevent it? The only way currently is to jailbreak your phone and install the app PDF Loading Warner until Apple fixes this problem on thier own.

How-To Install PDF Laoding Warner

1. Open Cydia and let it load completely.

2. Search for PDF Loading Warner and install.

3. Now when you are browsing in Safari and attempt to open a pdf file it will prompt you like this:

If you are confident of the source then let it load. If you were not attempting to load a pdf file and this screen comes up then you have probably found someone trying to exploit you and your device. 

One last thing about security, if you plan on using ssh to browse your devices file structure through wifi you will also need to change your root password. This can be done by following these steps.

1) In Cydia, install OpenSSH. Respring phone.

2) Google for PuTTY and install on your computer.
3) Startup PuTTY. On main page, type in your IP address. Make sure "SSH" is dotted then click "Open."
4) If this is your first time, a window will appear saying something about saving authentication key. Just click on yes.
5) When you get to the screen that says "Login as:" type in: Root. Password: alpine.
6) Now, it should say your iphone name. Type in: passwd. Enter new password and repeat. Once done, just exit PuTTY.
7) Repeat step #3. This time "Login as:" Type: mobile. Follow rest of instructions.
8) If you don't want OpenSSH, go back into Cydia and remove it. Respring phone.

You should really do this if you jailbreak at all. It will make your phone more secure. All iPhones are shipped with the Login of Root and Password of Alpine. If you install OpenSSH and do not change your password this can open your phone up for hackers to do anything on it while you are connected to wifi. See here about the SSH exploit.

Coming tomorrow, I went out to the Disc Golf course and tested two apps Golf Log and Disc Golf GPS. I will review those two apps and how they can help your game.

If you want to jailbreak and need help send me an email or post a comment. I will help.