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Apple Says iPhone Jailbreaking Could Hurt Cell Towers
AHuxley writes "Apple suggests that the nation's cellphone networks could be open to 'potentially catastrophic' cyberattacks by iPhone-using hackers at home and abroad if iPhone owners are permitted to legally jailbreak their wireless devices. The Copyright Office is currently considering a request by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to legalize the widespread practice of jailbreaking. Apple has responded to the request by saying that if the 'baseband processor' software — which enables a connection to cell phone towers — is exposed, then a user could crash the tower software, or use the Exclusive Chip Identification number to make calls anonymously. Apple also thinks its closed business model is what made the iPhone a success. The Vodafone scandal from a few years back showed how a network could be compromised, but that was from within. So, what do you think? Is Apple playing the 'evil genius' hacker card or can 'anyone' with a smartphone and a genius friend pop a US cell tower?"
Those poor little cell phone towers. I'm glad somebody is thinking about them.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Absolutely, If you have a PC with a 3G wireless card you should not be allowed to install any software.
Because it being illegal will stop those intent on using their phones for nefarious purposes FROM JAILBREAKING THEIR iPHONES? Sorta like how traffic laws will prevent robbers from double parking while pulling a bank heist (double parking the vehicle can speed the getaway!!).
I think we need a corollary to Godwin's Law as it pertains to linking actions to the Bush Administration. Is there no limit?
But if using the expression in the wrong order is outlawed,
the expression will only be used in the wrong order by outlaws.
a few rouge iPhones
I thought they only came in black?
and hahahahahaha!
Maybe if people put their jailbroken phones in trebuchets and fire them at cell towers...
Additional research by Apple Labs has shown that unlocked iPhones cause erectile dysfunction, global warming, birth defects, and leprosy. Protect yourself by purchasing a new, locked iPhone with a five year contract extension. It's the only way to be safe.
Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
That is the same method apple has for their OS and not needing a virus scanner
You don't get it. Sure you could do this with any cellphone, but being able to do it on an iPhone makes terrorism "cool".
And besides - if every AT&T tower melted into a heap of slag tomorrow, wouldn't we all be cheering?
That wouldn't scare the fuck out of you?
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ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.