Apple blocks jailbreaking despite judge declaring it legal - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10950967[/url] [quote][B]Apple has fixed a security hole used to get around restrictions on what applications can run on iPhones, iPads, and the iPod Touch.[/B] The popular JailbreakMe application used the vulnerability to unlock these devices and run non-approved apps. The bug stemmed from the way Apple's mobile Safari browser handled PDF document files. But security experts warned that it also left users vulnerable to potential attack via booby-trapped websites. The risk to owners was theoretical as no criminals were thought to have exploited it. However it was widely used to run applications, utilities and other add-ons that were not approved by Apple. The company keeps tight control on the apps available via its store and many people turn to alternatives, such as Cydia, for unofficial apps. [B]'Foolish move'[/B] The loophole was first used for the widely-known JailbreakMe program that let owners visit a specially crafted webpage to trigger the unlocking process. This latest patch will prevent JailBreakMe from working, but will also close a potential vulnerability that, if exploited, could have given an attacker access to the device. The updates will be offered to owners when they connect their gadget to a computer. The company, and security firms, recommended that owners immediately download and apply the update. However, the update is not mandatory and many people may avoid downloading and installing it to ensure they can continue to run unofficial applications and programs. "It remains to be seen, of course, how many iPhone and iPad users decide to install this security patch," said Sophos senior security analyst Graham Cluley on his blog. "Some may be delighting in their newly-jailbroken gadget." Mr Cluley said leaving the vulnerability unpatched would be a "foolish move". "It would be relatively trivial for a malicious hacker to exploit it, and cause a problem on your shiny Apple gear," he warned. In its advisory about the update, Apple said it applies to second generation and later iPods and iPhone Touches. A security package that fixes the bug on first generation gadgets is being developed by a programmer called Jay Freeman.[/quote] Oh Apple :rolleye:

Pfft, jailbreaking via safari. Do it like a man and use spiritJB.

[QUOTE=wingless;24007338]Pfft, jailbreaking via safari. Do it like a man and use spiritJB.[/QUOTE] Pwnage is the way REAL men do it. (On older devices..Sigh.)

I've used redsn0w, worked great and doesn't require iTunes.

Blackra1n.

Nah, it was because there was a security threat due to this exploit. If they didn't do it, people would just complain about that.

I don't see how anyone could be mad at Apple for this. Obviously they're gonna fix it since jailbreaking is bad for them. And they are allowed to fix it.

[QUOTE=Maurice;24007605]I don't see how anyone could be mad at Apple for this. Obviously they're gonna fix it since jailbreaking is bad for them. And they are allowed to fix it.[/QUOTE] The ability to jailbreak is a major factor in high sales - at least that's why I bought it.

Apple is just butthurt.

Yeah, no. There's no way I'm going back to using an un-jailbroken device, especially now that it's completely legal.

That is a very misleading title. I thought Apple blocked the website or the program from running on thier gadgets. No, it turned out to be fixes that deal with the vulnerability used by JailBreakMe. Big deal, this isn't news.

I wouldn't be surprised if they are just bullshitting us to scare us into not jailbreaking and restoring our iPods and iPhones.

[QUOTE=Datsun;24008792]That is a very misleading title. I thought Apple blocked the website or the program from running on thier gadgets. No, it turned out to be fixes that deal with the vulnerability used by JailBreakMe. Big deal, this isn't news.[/QUOTE] The vulnerability is nothing new though, so if it was honestly a concern, why did they wait until now to fix it? This is just Apple trying to keep their customers as slaves.

[QUOTE=Zeddy;24009837]The vulnerability is nothing new though, so if it was honestly a concern, why did they wait until now to fix it? This is just Apple trying to keep their customers as slaves.[/QUOTE] What company doesn't keep their customers as slaves? A possible reason why Apple fixed it was possibly because of all the media about the jailbreaking. A website that can jailbreak your apple device easy, the recent cort ruling that jailbreaking is not illegal (nor is preventing jailbreaking I assume), the idiots jailbreaking the apple devices in the Apple stores. If it wasn't for that media, they would have probably never fixed it. You'd be surprised how companies don't react to things until it starts growing into a big problem.

[QUOTE=starpluck;24007727]The ability to jailbreak is a major factor in high sales - at least that's why I bought it.[/QUOTE] You're kidding yourself if you think jailbreaking is a major factor. [url]http://www.iphonefreak.com/2009/08/jailbroken-stats-recent-survey-suggests-843-of-iphone-users-jailbreak.html[/url] 8.43% last year (would be even less now after the release of the new iPhone 4) does not make it major. [editline]01:26AM[/editline] By the way, just because jailbreaking is now legally exempt from the DMCA doesn't mean Apple can't legally stop jailbreaking.

[quote]In its advisory about the update, Apple said it applies to second generation and later iPods and iPhone Touches.[/quote] [quote]second generation and later iPods and iPhone Touches[/quote] [quote]iPods and iPhone Touches[/quote]

[QUOTE=Lyoko774;24007354]Pwnage is the way REAL men do it. (On older devices..Sigh.)[/QUOTE] Real men don't use Apple products

Question is, if they cancel my service because of this or anything like that, can I take them to court?

They should make the device as functional as a jailbroken iPhone by default then

Wow, terrible title OP. This wasn't about jailbreaking at all. The bug they fixed was a very serious flaw that could have been used maliciously. If you're cool with allowing any website with a maliciously crafted PDF to take full control of your iPhone, then go for it. Just because JailBreakMe didn't do anything malicious, doesn't mean there won't be a PDF out there that pwns your phone. And just because jailbreaking is legal doesn't mean Apple has to make it easy to do. Hell, unlocking a GSM phone is legal in the US but when I bought a used phone on ebay T-Mobile wouldn't give me the unlock code because I wasn't the original buyer. So I bought an unlock code online.

[QUOTE=BANNED USER;24011980]Question is, if they cancel my service because of this or anything like that, can I take them to court?[/QUOTE] Apple != AT&T Also it would be illegal for them to do so.

[QUOTE=Zeddy;24009837]The vulnerability is nothing new though, so if it was honestly a concern, why did they wait until now to fix it? This is just Apple trying to keep their customers as slaves.[/QUOTE] Huh? How was it nothing new if Apple didn't know about it until JailBreakMe came around?

Just because a judge declared it legal doesn't mean Apple can't get rid of it

[QUOTE=starpluck;24007727]The ability to jailbreak is a major factor in high sales - at least that's why I bought it.[/QUOTE]This. Even people who aren't UNIX-obsessed techies have jailbroken iPhones/iPods/iPads/iWhatsNext. Though it is Apple's right to patch these issues, since most recent DMCA Exemption only legalized specific incidents of circumventing "Technological Measures that Control Access to Copyrighted Works," which boils town to "if you have the means to circumvent it, go for it."

[quote]The bug stemmed from the way Apple's mobile Safari browser handled PDF document files.[/quote] Portable Document File document files :bang:

[QUOTE=smurfy;24012676][quote]The bug stemmed from the way Apple's mobile Safari browser handled PDF document files.[/quote] Portable Document File document files :bang:[/QUOTE] LOL out loud

[QUOTE=smurfy;24012676]Portable Document File document files :bang:[/QUOTE] Department of Redundancy Department

what people don't realize is that they didn't block it just because of jailbreaking, it was also a security exploit that could've let people using said exploit to control another persons iPod/iPhone. Instead of people going "FUCKIN APPLE WHY THEY BLOK JAILBREAKING EVEN THOUGH ITS LEGAL????? :downs:" actually read the article.

Is this news article really a surprise? Apple blocks jailbreak because they don't want others to mess with the firmware, which WILL enable piracy (this is the main reason) as well as releasing the potentials of creating security vulnerabilities towards the iDevices via virus and such. The release of unauthorized applications will also cause apple to loose money tremendously at the appstore, if everyone decides to release their app on Cydia instead, since it is free to do so, rather than needing to pay Apple developer subscription fees, publication fees, and such. The law have simply stated that jailbreaking iPods are legal, it does not say Apple should not act against it.

[QUOTE=d10sfan;24013265]Department of Redundancy Department[/QUOTE] Redundant Acronym Syndrome Syndrome.