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Gull1hack 'jailbreak' for iPhone shows how little users care about security
Recently, a developer released Gull1hack, which was reported to unlock the iPhone 3.1.3 firmware. As it turns out, there's no actual jailbreaking going on. Rather, the app was an exercise in figuring out how gullible (see what he did there?) users were. Thousands of downloads and dozens of blog posts later, he had his answer.
It's probably no surprise to Download Squad readers, but loads of users have a 'shoot first, ask questions later' attitude when it comes to software. As Gull1hack's developer points out, that's a big part of the reason Trojans and rogue antivirus apps manage to spread. Blindly downloading an app and running it -- and likely clicking away any UAC or similar security warnings -- isn't a great idea when you don't know what an app is up to.
The moral of the story? Make sure the software you choose to install and use is worth giving your trust. Google it. Ask a friend. Search Twitter.
Blindly installing a program might not have gotten Gull1hack downloaders into trouble this time, but it's going to bite them in the ass some day.
Comments
10
Subscribe to commentsmaf teechrFeb 25th 2010 3:47PM
I enjoy reading about friendly, harmless trojans/viruses hitting people. It's a reality check people need.
Marshall WilliamsFeb 25th 2010 4:06PM
+1 - People should stop being so careless. I am a computer technician and over 1/2 the Windows machines I repair have programs I have never heard of on them. A quick Google search of the program name and the first 5 results will usually tell you its without doubt a virus.
How hard is it to Google?
do.ronFeb 25th 2010 4:09PM
We might as well call this what it is, a phishing scam. People are as dumb as ever.
pattylandFeb 25th 2010 6:03PM
I hope it helped... Maybe some of the thousands of people now will think twice before downloadin software :)
Justin BrownFeb 25th 2010 6:52PM
i use a second "sandbox" computer for apps like this. i only run known apps on my personal computer and all other apps for testing on the second; i don't care what gets on that one. how can we find new useful apps without testing (or a blog testing for us).
MollyFeb 25th 2010 8:09PM
... written and distributed by Apple to stop terrorists and drug dealers jailbreaking iPhones. :D
pattylandFeb 26th 2010 8:55AM
I'm sure that I don't work for Apple :D
ProlornFeb 25th 2010 10:14PM
But... but, how will the rest of us know which files are safe or not, without the hordes of clueless/daring testers willing to download anything?
AemonyFeb 26th 2010 12:22AM
Second this. Someone's got to take the risk, and better them mindless zombies than me.
JayenkaiFeb 26th 2010 6:15AM
I'm not sure why, but I want to applaud this guy!
.. I'd like to take this opportunity to suggest that all 150+ of my games are safe!