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Jailbreak Apple?
Posted on July 21st, 2011
Apple’s long-time reputation for device security was slightly tarnished last Wednesday when security researchers discovered a major security flaw in Apple’s iOS operating system, which is used by iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices. The vulnerability allows criminal hackers to gain control of these devices in order to steal passwords, documents, e-mails, and perform other malicious deeds. Although Apple is working feverishly to correct this security flaw, it has not yet released a fix.
With this background in mind, should we turn off our iPhones and iPads until a patch is announced? I don’t think so and I’ll explain why. First of all, it is important to realize that all devices with Internet connectivity are vulnerable. Period. The truth is that security experts have identified dozens of vulnerability in every mobile operating system, to include Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android OS. The only way to truly secure these devices is to turn them off, remove the batteries, and store them in your sock drawer. Vulnerabilities are a risk that we accept when we use devices that are connected to telecommunications networks. Fortunately, the vast majority of these vulnerabilities present very little risk to users.
The second reason to keep your Apple device relates to the way that this current vulnerability is exploited. Hackers disguised the exploit as “jail-breaking” software and uploaded it to a known hacking website. Victims of the exploit, hoping to “jailbreak” their Apple devices, willingly downloaded the infected software, which gave hackers access to their devices. In other words, the hackers were ultimately enabled by the poor choices of their victims.
Although using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch does present some level of risk, there are a couple of things that you can do to protect yourself. First, don’t open e-mail attachments, such as images, PDF files, or documents, unless you know and trust the person who is sending them to you. These attachments may contain hidden exploits. Second, don’t download software from unapproved or dubious websites—and especially not from iPhone hacking websites. These downloads may contain malicious code designed to exploit vulnerabilities in your operating system.
In sum, don’t ditch your mobile devices just yet. Apple’s team of programmers should release a fix but from our own research, there will undoubtedly be more exploits, even with apples “our way or no way” approach to device management once thought of as a fortified answer to operating system security.
In the meantime, remember the two safety tips mentioned above. These practices will significantly mitigate many of the most serious mobile threats.
Jailbreak: Removing the limitations imposed by Apple to its Operation System, so users can avoid future charges by apple corporation to get free Applications, System Modifications, Themes, and Ringtones.
Operating System: The platform on which software/applications run upon.
Article by www.dee.ie a Derry based – IT Support, Web Development & Technology Consultancy Company.
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