Apple + Security & Privacy

The latest version of Spirit, a tool to jailbreak the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, has been released. It requires a device running firmware 3.1.2, 3.1.3, or 3.2. Described as a beta, this tool may cause problems, but it installs Cydia, the program used to access non-Apple-approved applications. It does not, however, unlock iPhones for use with other phone companies than those approved by Apple.

We’ve said it here many times: jailbreaking is dangerous, and opens up iDevices (is that a generic term that will save us writing iPad, iPhone and iPod touch every time?) to security risks. We’re sure many iPad owners – more than 1 million so far – will want to try this out to open their iPads up to more software. Be careful; while there’s less of a risk with an iPad (or an iPod touch) than an iPhone, security issues still exist. If you use your iPad in a public area, via wifi, it could be vulnerable if it is jailbroken.