Teen hacker releases Windows and Mac jailbreaking programs for iPhone 3G S

July 5, 2009 | Dean Takahashi | Comments |

purple-rain-guyThe teen hacker who unlocked the original iPhone is at it again. George Hotz (pictured), 19, claims to have created an app that can “jailbreak” the iPhone 3G S.

That means the program, dubbed purplera1n, can install third-party software on an iPhone 3G S, even if that software is not approved by Apple. It didn’t take him long to hack the iPhone 3G S, which has only been available since June 19.

Jailbreaking is a big deal because it shows that it isn’t impossible to overcome Apple’s built-in security features for the iPhone. To some users, jailbreaking adds value to the phone because they are able to run a variety of unauthorized apps. Apple tries to close off vulnerabilities that make jailbreaking possible, but hackers such as Hotz look for new ones in a cat-and-mouse game.

Note that while Hotz was originally able to “unlock” the iPhone so that it could make phone calls on non-AT&T networks, “jailbreaking” is different in that it merely allows unapproved apps to run on the iPhone.

Hotz released software on Friday that works with Windows-based computers and the latest version of iTunes, as well as an iPhone 3G S running the latest iPhone 3.0 software. He talked about it in a blog post. Today, he released a Mac version. He warns that people who try the software should do a backup before they start.

In the initial post, Hotz wrote, “We release, Apple fixes, we find new holes.” Various blogs have confirmed that the software works. Hotz gained fame in August, 2007 when, at the age of 17, he became the first hacker to crack the iPhone’s security so it could run unauthorized apps.

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About the Author, Dean Takahashi

Dean is lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat. He covers video games, security, chips and a variety of other subjects. Dean previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News, the Wall Street Journal, the Red Herring, the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register and the Dallas Times Herald. He is the author of two books, Opening the Xbox and the Xbox 360 Uncloaked. Follow him on Twitter at @deantak, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.

  • Fat Alberto
    boys will be boys
  • tonyb75
    "... it merely allows unapproved apps to run on the iPhone."
    WRONG! Well ok, you're kind of right...

    Jailbreaking your phone does more then merely allow unapproved apps. It unlocks many features on the iphone that are there but Apple doesn't want you to have access to. Its Apples way of holding off on features until the next release. That way they can fool you into buying the newest version even though the ability has been there all along.
  • calgarygraphicdesign
    Somebody needs a real, useful skill.
  • Define a "real, useful skill." Finding a jailbreak hack requires patience, dedication, discipline, and commitment. It requires incredibly strong analytical skills, *tons and tons* of logic, and problem-solving skills. It even requires the hacker to find and figure out unconventional methods of getting the stupid device doing what the hacker wants it to do, despite the device not exactly being designed for the purpose.

    In short, it requires real, left-brained, objective skills that can be easily measured in terms of "does it work" and "does it not." The results are always right in front of your face, and they're not in any shades of gray, and the only subjective part is "how well" it works -- and there are lots of ways to define and measure *that*, too.

    So please. Since the *extremely complex and sophisticated* process of finding a jailbreak exploit is "not a real, useful skill," define for me and every other reader here what is.

    (Terminology clarification note: I am using the "experimental" definition of hacker within the context of this posting. By that I mean that "hacker" is (at least in *this* context) defined as "an expert or enthusiast" and/or "A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary. RFC1392, the Internet Users' Glossary, usefully amplifies this as: A person who delights in having an intimate understanding of the internal workings of a system, computers and computer networks in particular." Both definitions can be found in the Jargon File; this one specifically at http://catb.org/jargon/html/H/hacker.html . I AM *NOT* REFERRING TO THE CRIMINAL DEFINITION OF HACKER.)
  • calgarygraphicdesign
    If I had as much time as you, I would reply in full. But there would be no point explaining the uselessness of hacking to a crowd of hackers. Hacking the iPhone clearly breaches the EULA and I have no time for people who do not respect the legal concerns of a manufacturer.
  • I dunno, you seemed to have the time to mock his "lack of useful skill" just now, and you suddenly don't have time?

    As for "not respectful of the legal concerns of the manufacturer" -- what about the right of the purchaser to do as he or she wishes with property legitimately purchased and owned? And the right of the person to share what he has done with others or perhaps a whole world via the Internet? Are these less important than Apple's legal concerns? Note *especially* that the hacking of the phones is not out of malice or a desire to harm Apple; it is merely to be able to use the product to it's full potential, to "free" it. Apple probably bears more malice towards the hackers than they do to it!
  • murdoch
    It's about time somebody gave Apple the business. That company acts like a Michael Jackson.
  • Jacques
    This is seen everywhere in the IT world.. those "updates" are just new hurdles for the so called "hackers". There will always be someone smarter than you are, and therefor your software will always have holes in it no matter how hard you try.
  • dslanbieter
    They are really genius. I was very happy when it is released on Mac version. Props to George and Dev team!
  • cyberfanatic
    If you have any new ideas to ensure the security of the software and you need some guidance and mentorship then why not take part in GSC Competition at www.globalsecuritychallenge.com.
    At GSC we encourage brilliant security ideas either they are from start ups, new businesses, researcher or even a student. Have a look at the competition for a chance to win $10,000 cash grant, mentorship and invaluable publicity. The deadline for the 'Most Promising Security Idea' category is 1st Sept, 2009. Entry is free!!