EyeOpener: Hacker holds jailbroken iphones hostage

Unlock iPhone, Jailbreak iPhone and iPhone Unlocking

11/02/2009 11:08:00 PM - 0 comments

It was high drama for many iPhone users with jailbroken iPhones who were at the receiving end earlier this week, when a Dutch hacker threatened to abuse users with unlocked handsets unless they pay a price. This incident brought the whole fraternity into a tizzy as this was the last thing people would be expecting.

It all started when some Dutch iPhone users who have been enjoying jailbreak iphones got the shock of their life when they were greeted with a message from a Dutch hacker claiming to have complete control of their device. The message (image below) had the hacker’s message threatening to use that control to steal data and send messages, unless the user paid up €5 to a PayPal account to receive instructions for removal of the back door.

The BIG question: How is that possible?

This incident left many perplexed at the thought that how can that be possible. Experts reveal that such an incident is the handiwork of a shrewd hacker who dared to attempt such misdeed based on certain in-depth jailbreaking facts he is conversant with. So, how was the jailbreaking possible?

Well, it was feasible because jailbreaking an iPhone involves enabling an SSH (Secure Shell) service on the device. However, the users who faced the brunt were the ones who had not changed the default password. This made their device susceptible to anyone (like this hacker) with an ounce of technical knowledge, crooked mind and ample time on their hands.

So, what this hacker did was just some port scanning and then attempted the default password on those devices which still had SSH running. Remember, this shrewd hacked is no technical genius; people like him are just on the prowl to make quick bucks of other’s ignorance.

For your information, SSH can be shut down once an iPhone is jailbroken; however, many iPhone users due to their lack of technical knowledge or inability to do it themselves, overlook the risk involved in failing to do so. Therefore, it is always wise to seek expert opinion along with customer support, to evade such incidents. You may contact reliable providers like easyiphoneunlocking.com for more details and your jailbreak iphones and iphone unlocking needs.

Twist in the tale…

Well, coming to the hacker’s misdeed, after creating a ruckus, good sense prevailed and the hacker posted further instructions on how to remove the security hole. Was it an attempt to bury the incident as one from an opportunist rather than a hardened criminal? Share your thoughts on this.

However, this is a valuable eye-opener and reminder for iPhone users and may be many others working online, never to leave the default password unchanged, ever.

Posted: Seuli.B