Dutch Hacker Holds Jailbroken iPhones Hostage

Many of us have jailbroken our iPhones, but did everyone remember to change the default root password? Those guilty of that oversight are vulnerable to the simple intrusion method this guy used to hold iPhones hostage in the Netherlands.

Apparently all that it took to terrify many Dutch iPhone users was a "trivial" port scanning technique and "a modicum of networking know-how." After the hacker gained access to the jailbroken phones with unchanged root passwords and SSH enabled, he sent the pictured message which led to a demand for a €5 PayPal payment and words of caution:

If you don't pay, it's fine by me, but remember, the way I got access to your iPhone can be used by thousands of others-they can send text messages from your number (like I did), use it to call or record your calls, and actually whatever they want, even use it for their hacking activities! I can assure you, I have no intention of harming you or whatever, but, some hackers do! It's just my advice to secure your phone.
​

This particular gentleman was almost kind. He didn't inflict any serious harm, only demanded a small optional payment, and limited his activity to the Netherlands. Whoever learns from his approach might not be as nice. The lesson, my darlings? Change your root passwords or disable SSH if you've got a jailbroken iPhone.

According to reader Sonny, our hacker has grown a conscience and posted instructions on how to remove his software (for free) as well as a guide to changing the root password.

 

Thats awesome I wish I could do that....

 

Ontgrendel? Yup, that's dutch allright!

 

Wow not everyday you see an ethical (sort of) hacker. Good to know if I ever decide to get an Iphone and want to jailbreak it.

 

What is 'Jailbreaking' an iPhone? Sorry I'm not really into the Apple stuff..

 

Jailbreaking an iPhone is a important feature that must be done to all iPhones/iPod Touches!

As you can see after my iPhone is jail-broken, I can now run themes besides a normal black background, which is a bit boring. It allows me to run things in the background, which apple doesn't permit. So I can play Yahoo Radio, while still playing pocket tanks or chatting via BeeJive.

There's really alot of different things you can do after jail-breaking an iPhone/iPod Touch, but basicly its explained as... (WiKi)

Jailbreaking is a process that allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to run unofficial code on their devices bypassing Apple's official distribution mechanism, the App Store. Once jailbroken, iPhone users are able to download many applications previously unavailable through the App Store via unofficial installers such as Cydia and Icy. Cydia app store founder Jay Freeman estimates that 4 million (out of 40 million) iPods and iPhones are jailbroken.[1]
Jailbreaking is distinct from unlocking, which is the process by which a mobile device is made compatible with telephone networks with which it was not specifically licensed to be used.

 

Well the King has a jailbroken iPhone but what about Nimrod? Is yours jailbroken sir?

 

Thanks for the info! Jailbraiking an iPhone is indeed like unblocking mobile phones and using a custom firmware on PSP handhelds.

 

Sadly.

 

"Sadly" Do you not like your new features?

 

Wasnt as amazing as I hoped for to be honest. Does had a few new features, but i dunno if its worth missing out on updates and having to mess around with it.