The community of jailbreak iphone might have never felt as vulnerable as today in the present scenario - when reports of virus attack on iPhone (jailbroken) almost greet you every other day. It all started in the beginning of November when news of a Dutch hacker holding users of jailbroken iPhone at ransom and threatening to abuse them unless they pay a price of €5 was reported.
Thereafter, followed the ‘ikee’ and the ‘iPhone/Privacy’ virus reported by the Mac Security software development company, Intego. However, all those exploits were rated as ‘not so dangerous’ by the experts as they were more inclined to warn iPhone users of possible threats from unchanged root passwords in jailbreak iphone. But the virus detected lately has been considered malicious than the preceding ones considering its enticement to take advantage of the vulnerability in jailbroken iPhones. Features that makes your jailbreak iphone more vulnerable to this virus
Viruses are meant to be malicious; however the extent of the damage these exploits can bring is variable. Reports have indicated that this virus attacks only jailbroken iPhone and iPod Touch devices.
- This virus uses command-and-control like a conventional PC botnet, configuring two startup scripts. While one is to execute the virus on boot-up, the other is to create a connection to a Lithuanian server (HTTP) for uploading stolen data and cede control to the bot master.
- The virus also alters the root password from the default of "alpine" that Apple set in the original firmware, making it even more complicated for users to secure their devices.
- Moreover, this virus attacks IP ranges from a larger range of ISPs, including UPC (Netherlands), Optus (Australia), and T-Mobile (Many).
- Whenever you hook up an infected device to a WiFi connection, the virus can spread more quickly to more IP addresses than on a typical 3G connection.
- Each infected device is assigned a unique ID number, which allows the attackers to further explore a phone with interesting content. This could lead to significant data theft if a sensitive phone has been jailbroken.
- One symptom that has been recorded, is of very short battery life when the device is connected to WiFi, because the virus is generating so much network activity.
How to secure your iPhone against the malicious malware
Apart from getting rid of the malicious worm by taking care of the Changing the root password is essential to the condition to which using jailbreak. Again, iPhones can install MobileTerminal App from the Cydia package manager and change the password. For changing the password, here are a few trodden path.
- Open Cydia > download MobileTerminal App >once done, run the app. - Type command su root and hit enter (Return key). - When prompted for password type ‘alpine’ and hit enter (Return key). - Then type passwd and hit enter (Return key).
Moreover, typing your new password twice, secures your device from future SSH based attacks.
Important Updates and prevention
- There are reports that the IP address the virus uses for C&C is 92.61.38.16. This is interesting and productive news for a mobile operator. So, if you are mobile operator it is suggested that you monitor or block activity and try to communicate with this IP address.
- It has been discovered that the new root password set by this virus is "ohshit".
There is very little way to know if your iPhone is vulnerable to attack without scanning them for SSH and trying the default password. Although, there are speculations that corporate iPhones are not likely to be jailbroken, certain clarifications are sought. For example, on adding an employee's iPhone to your network; you will not be able to tell if that phone is jailbroken without having checked the device directly.
As for your iphone unlocking and jailbreaking requirement, just tune in to easyiphoneunlocking.com for quick and hassle-free support and service.
Here’s another revolutionary application for all those who believed in jailbreak iphone. Aptly named Multifl0w multitasking app, this iPhone app allows switching between applications running in the background. You can say this is done more like in a beautiful Palm Pre style cover flow-like mode. This app is now available for download via RockApp for jailbroken iPhones.
As an iPhone app, Multifl0w fundamentally acts as a graphical extension to Backgrounder - the popular app from Cydia, to present all opened apps in a tabbed view; almost similar to the view seen on Mobile Safari browser. Coming to interface, Multifl0w is a multitasking interface which displays iPhone applications that are running parallel to one another.
Check out a video demo of the Multifl0w in action.
Features of Multifl0w
- Very small and concrete code that uses very little RAM and CPU space
- You can double tap Home button to open Multifl0w
- Snapshot of each backgrounded application provided for easy selection of applications
Multifl0w: How it works
Multifl0w multitasking app works by allowing you to scroll left and right between them for quick switching. Moreover, it also includes a snapshot of each of the backgrounded applications. This means that it runs with backgrounder i.e. you can background application by holding the home button.
You can avail Multifl0w app for $4.99 via RockApp for jailbroken iPhone’s and iPod Touch. For user convenience, 10 days free trial is also available. However, a jailbroken iPhone is a prerequisite for using this application. If you haven’t yet got yourself a jailbreak iphone, you may log in to easyiphoneunlocking.com for jailbreaking and iphone unlocking as well.
Again Multifl0w requires Backgrounder app, which is a Mobile Substrate-based extension to be installed as a privilege. You can also install Backgrounder from Cydia for free from BigBoss repository. Industry analysts and users unanimously agree that until now, lack of multi-tasking was one of the biggest problems with the iPhone; unlike WebOS, Android and Windows Mobile users.
Speculations are rife of a possible exploit for jailbreak and unlock of iPhone ready. And Geohot has revealed that he has already discovered a brand new exploit that will jailbreak and unlock Apple's fourth-generation iPhone – which is presumably set to hit the stores in the summer of 2010.
Although, there has been much rumors doing the round about Apple’s fourth generation iPhone, not many know about the new specifications Apple will come up with. At such a juncture, Geohot’s claim about a possible jailbreak iphone and unlock is nonetheless an ambitious attempt. Geohot-iPhone dev team challenges Apple for revolutionary iPhone features
Firstly, it was the unofficial iphone dev team and then Geohot who have been famously devoting hundreds of hours of work learning iPhone secrets and then breaking into the iPhone mould to offer iPhone users the freedom from Apple’s contractual ‘carrier’ exclusivity.
You can say, it has almost become an obsession for the hackers in the league of dev team and Geohot, to work day in and out to remove restrictions (iphone unlocking and jailbreaking) with the launch of each new version of the iPhone OS. This is to enable making iPhones do things that Apple CEO Steve Jobs never thought of offering its customers.
It is a fact that creative minds and astute developers like Geohot and the dev team has been consistently keeping Apple on its toes with new updates to jailbreak iphone and unlocking tools. You can say now in the 3 years of iPhone existence, the hacker fraternity had been no less than a cause for persistent headache for Apple.
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that this cat and mouse game between these official and unofficial iPhone developers has undoubtedly been a blessing in disguise for iPhone users all the way. It’ll be really exciting to see what Geohot and the dev team comes up to take on Apple’s fourth generation iPhone, coming next summer.
iPhone users benefiting from the Apple – hacker ‘cat and mouse race’
It cannot be denied that Apple’s strategic policies of iPhone exclusivity are nonetheless perforations in the company’s exchequer; considering the fact that had Apple not locked the iPhone into AT&T, O2 and the likes, almost everyone would be using an iPhone today.
However, until Apple makes changes in their policies, you can catch all the happenings that you have been missing in the world of jailbreak iphone. But make sure you seek the service of competent and technically sound providers who can offer you round-the-clock customer service and support. You may consider trying one such provider with proven track record easyiphoneunlocking.com. They are just a click away!
How badly have you wanted a custom map on your iPhone for easy navigation? While the Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch launched a year ago in October 2008, has been one of the most popular and one of the most downloaded applications in the App Store, its back just a year later with an updated version 2.0.
Google Earth version 2.0 unveiled this week has been updated and loaded with some exciting new features. This includes the capability to view maps that you create on your desktop computer right from your iPhone; explore the app in new languages apart from improved icon selection and performance. The new Google Earth 2.0 for iPhone: View your maps on the move
The updated Google Earth 2.0 for iPhone allows you to create and view your own maps as well. You can view the same maps created by you or others firstly, by logging in directly to your Google Maps account; and then using the My Maps interface. Then, all you have to do is click "Save to My Maps" and open Earth on the iPhone. Thereafter, log in with the same account information, and you have your same collection of My Maps right in your pocket.
Interestingly, this version of Google Earth can make your ‘search on the move’ for new localities or location exciting as you can not only search for the places you are contemplating to visit, but also places where famous people have traveled or frequently visit. The maps can be created using the desktop version of Google Earth. You can read the tracks directly out of your GPS device, save the resulting tracks as a KML file, and then import into My Maps in Google Maps.
Browse businesses, photos, and places with the updated Google Earth 2.0
What makes the updated Google Earth 2.0 the most sought after app in recent times? Apart from experiencing the thrill of browsing world information from your iPhone, it allows you the opportunity to view photos, read Wikipedia articles and know and discover different places around the world.
And to make things more exciting, the new version comes with icons on the map, which when touched gives out a small glow under your finger to let you know which icon you have chosen. And if your finger touches more than one icon, you’ll be provided with a list of all icons to select from.
New languages in Google Earth 2.0
And to add to the popularity of the already popular app is the addition and availability of new languages in this release, bringing the total to 31 languages from the earlier18 in the 2008 version. Now you can access Google Earth in English (U.S), English (UK), French (France), German, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Arabic, Thai, Czech, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian, Malaysian, Romanian, Slovak, and Croatian.
This will for sure make Google Earth a universal iPhone app. After all Google Earth remains an entertaining and even an educational app to keep on your iPhone. Share your comments about your experiences with the updated Google earth 2.0 for the iPhone. Has it made your life easier?
Seems virus attacks on jailbroken iPhones are on the roll as new exploits are emerging one after another. After a few days of respite from the ‘ikee’ virus, the latest to pose a threat is a virus/exploit called iPhone/Privacy. This is an exploit that almost hits the same iPhone security cover, but a little more aggressive and so much more dangerous.
This virus attacks the jailbreak iphone similarly as the ikee virus. However, Intego – a Mac Security software development company, which has revealed the virus, has noted that iPhone/Privacy scans the neighborhood for jailbroken iPhones which have SSH installed on them with the default "alpine" password. And once the virus is able to locate a vulnerable iPhone, it is attacked to dig out almost every data stored in them by the owner in the device. Exploit for jailbreak iphone - It all started one day….
First, broke the news of a Dutch hacker who threatened to abuse users with unlocked handsets unless they pay a price of €5. However, the hacker later had a change of heart and withdrew his demands with a warning for iPhone users with unlocked and jailbroken devices, to change their root password or else face the consequences.
Followed closely in its heels is the ‘ikee’ virus that rickrolled jailbroken iPhone users and threatened device users with messages that beamed out of their touchscreen - "ikee is never going to give you up” accompanied by a stoic looking image of the 80’s Australian singer Rick Astley. The notable factor about ‘ikee’ was that it made its presence well-known as you can see your jailbroken iPhone change its background automatically – letting you know for sure then that ikee virus has infected your jailbreak iphone.
In the meantime, the Australian hacker who had 'rickrolled' jailbroken iPhones with the 'iKee' virus has been identified. He is Ashley Towns, a 21 year old student from Wollongong, Australia. Ashley defends himself saying that he had created ‘ikee’ virus purely as a prank and to make people aware of security loops.
iPhone/Privacy virus – How it works
The alarming part about the recently evident iPhone/Privacy virus is that here, the iPhone owner does not even get an inkling that their privacy has been compromised. It is so because, unlike the ‘ikee’ virus which leaves messages; here the worm leaves no traces behind after the attack.
Once any jailbroken iphone without a changed root password is accessed by this new exploit, it may attack not just the stored data relating to our personal lives, but also a lot of stored confidential business information. Therefore, if you have recently had a jailbreak iphone or contemplating one, make sure that your iPhone is not susceptible to this worm – by changing your password immediately.
The Intego blog notes also adds that this virus (tool) not only allows a hacker to unknowingly copy a treasure trove of user data from a compromised iPhone: e-mail, contacts, SMSs, calendars, photos, music files, videos; but also data recorded by any iPhone app.
So, one thing that has to be noted is that if you contemplate to jailbreak iphone, you have to make sure that you know and understand the different technicalities associated with it or else opt for technical support. You may log on to easyiphoneunlocking.com for round-the-clock support and service in iphone unlocking and jailbreak iphone.
Celebration time for Apple iPhone again as the recently released data (image below) by research firm Gartner on Thursday showed that the iPhone has captured an overwhelming 17.1 percent share of the worldwide smartphone market in the three-month period ending in September, 2009.
This is indeed a remarkable feat to be accomplished by Apple iPhone in less than two and a half years of being in the smartphone market. It also goes on to show that almost a fifth of the total global smartphone market is now ruled by Apple iPhone; boosted by nearly 50 percent year-over-year growth in sales in the third quarter of 2009. Apple iPhone share slated to grow over the years
A research from Gartner has revealed Apple Inc. as the third-largest smartphone company, close on the heels of Nokia and Research in Motion. The report also shows that Apple in the last quarter (September) has shipped an estimated 7.04 million iPhones, which is up from just 4.72 million phones and a 12.9 percent share during the same quarter a year ago. This is a representation of a 49.2 percent year-over-year increase in sales.
Analysts are optimistic that Apple’s share will grow to generate even higher sales in the fourth quarter. It is also anticipated that Apple’s expansion into China, apart from addition of new carriers in several countries will help increase iPhone sales.
Apple gives tough competition to Nokia and RIM
This is indeed an interesting statistics considering the fact that market leader Nokia took a 39.3 percent slice of the market, shipping 16.16 million smartphones i.e. up from 15.47 million in the third quarter of 2008. However, in the previous year, in 2008 Nokia managed 42.3 percent of sales, and therefore. Gartner considers the 2009 sales percentage to be Nokia’s lowest ever market share.
On the other hand, RIM shipped an estimated 8.52 million handsets during the third quarter, earning it 20.8 percent of sales. This is an encouraging growth in share up from 15.9 percent in the same quarter in 2008, when it shipped 5.8 million smartphones. So, RIM has an increase of 46.9 percent.
Android sales picking up momentum – Gartner report
The study from Gartner has also indicated a build-up of momentum from Android – with a global share of 3.5 percent, as the research firm tracked its way up the mobile operating system market. So, lets wait and watch out, as companies compete for their share of the smartphone market pie. After all, it’s the customers who are going to benefit from such healthy competition.
Following close on the heels of the PwnageTool 3.1.4 last month, which proved to be revolutionary in offering jailbreak support for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS; the iphone dev team has come up with the update for 3.1.x IPSWs in an attempt to fix missing carrier logo. In this update the dev team has updated UltraSn0w from 0.91 to 0.92 to fix the missing carrier logo.
The problem appeared when users who unlocked using PwnageTool-UltraSn0w combine observed the disappearance of the carrier logo. Also, at the same time, those relying heavily on ultrasn0w to unlock their phones with an unsupported carrier had high chances of losing their ability to unlock employing the tool. Dev team new update fixes the ‘aesthetic bug’
However, according to the dev team, this was in fact just an ‘aesthetic bug’; as the core functionality of UltraSn0w was not distorted in any way. In a short update on the iphone dev team blog published on November 9, 2009; it has been mentioned that an ultrasn0w update that fixes an issue for those running firmware 3.1.2 with the 04.26 baseband has been released. That particular combination was responsible for a missing carrier name in the upper left-hand corner of your home screen.
There is clear mention in the dev team blog post that this ultrasn0w update from 0.91 to 0.92 will fix that problem - which was an important concern for roaming. Finally, there is a request to see the available update if you have http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com as a Cydia source.
A latest report has revealed that the carrier logo has been fixed for at least 25 countries - Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kuwait, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Trinidad, UK and USA.
The bottomline is that ultrasn0w is meant to be the unlock for the 04.26.08 baseband. However, if you are on the 05.11.07 baseband you can jailbreak iphone using the blacksn0w unlock. Again, iPhone 2G users can jailbreak iphone using blackra1n or pwnagetool. It cannot use ultrasn0w for jailbreaking since 2G has a different baseband.
For more information or your iphone unlocking and jailbreak iphone needs, you may log on to easyiphoneunlocking.com for instant service and round-the-clock support.
The community of jailbreak iphone might have never felt as vulnerable as today in the present scenario - when reports of virus attack on iPhone (jailbroken) almost greet you every other day. It all started in the beginning of November when news of a Dutch hacker holding users of jailbroken iPhone at ransom and threatening to abuse them unless they pay a price of €5 was reported. 
