The new 3.0.1 iPhone version, which updates the software and navigation on your handset, has a list of fixes for the numerous bugs and viruses that were common when the iPhone 3.0 came out.

The most important cure in the firmware, however, is the remedies it gives to the iPhone SMS text messaging service, which has for a long time been the weak link in the Apple mobile technology.

It was revealed recently that the new iPhone unlock 3.0.1 was just released by the iPhone 3GS Unlock team and is said to unlock and jailbreak the latest 3.0.1 firmware on both the 3G and 3GS iPhones’, without any post unlocking issues.

Unlocking the iPhone has been a popular method of using ones own phone carrier instead of the default AT&T contract, and now with the news the 3.0.1 version has been jailbroken, all iPhones will now be able to be updated.

The process of unlocking the 3.0.1 version is clear and simple, and a step-by-step video will soon be available to the public.

While there are benefits in having a jailbroken device, such as the ability to provide much more functionality than a standard iPhone, users are unable to purchase or download any applications or software updates via the apple store.

This has led to the increase in jailbroken versions for iPhone technology.

While there is a push by some parties to have Jailbroken versions banned, it seems it will only fall on deaf ears, with too much need and demand for them.

Nowadays, hacking or “jailbreaking” an iPhone has become a simple task for even those with no computer programming knowledge. Hackers have created various programs and applications designed to make hacking an iPhone as easy as it is to install software to a computer. With so many options, here is a run-down of the various iPhone hacks and jailbreaking techniques iPhone owners can perform at their own risk:

Types Of iPhone Hacks

When the first iPhone was released it was initially only created for use with the American mobile network carrier, AT&T. This resulted in the majority of early iPhone hacks being created purely to “unlock” the iPhone for use with other networks. Unlocking the iPhone from AT&T also meant it was often sold (legally and illegally) over the internet to be used outside the United States, however not all its features would be fully functional.

Unlocking hacks are still used predominantly in Australia today, despite the fact the iPhone can be purchased for use with a number of Australian service providers. Often one service provider will sell the iPhone for a much lower price than other providers. In this scenario, often people will purchase the iPhone from one carrier and then unlock it for use with their preferred network.

The other main kind of iPhone hacking performed today is often referred to as “jailbreaking”. Apart from unlocking an iPhone from network restrictions, jailbreaking allows an iPhone user to install apps that the standard Apple operating system rejects, such as home screen backgrounds, MMS applications and other uncertified software.

But not all iPhone hacks are benign. Some iPhone owners inadvertently download hacks that have damaging consequences such as keystroke recording bugs and viruses that penetrate Apple’s system and can obtain passwords, personal and private information.

Common terms in iPhone hacking: Brick, Firmware

You may have encountered the terms brick and firmware in other articles about iPhone hacks, but their definitions aren’t always clear.

A brick often refers to a piece of hardware that has become unusable after its software was corrupted, usually by a failed attempt at hacking. Even allowing an iTunes software update can render your iPhone inoperable if it has been jailbroken. People who jailbreak their iPhone often accidentally approve the automatic updates by iTunes when they should instead wait for the hacking software to release its own update. Hackers are constantly working on writing newer and newer hacks to update the iPhone in line with any Apple software updates.

Firmware is the term used to describe the basic and in-depth programming of the iPhone’s operating system that is not accessible to the everyday user. Apple periodically releases updates that include bug fixes and offer new features. It usually doesn’t work on top of iPhone hacks. Firmware version 1.1.1 is famous for rendering many iPhones bricks, although a fix was released a few weeks later.

The iPhone was built to prevent users modifying its operating system and basic software. Jailbreaking and hacking the iPhone enables owners to modify their device past the boundaries Apple has allowed, but it often has dire consequences if not implemented properly.

• Check first that you’ve got the latest firmware on your iPhone by connecting it to iTunes and clicking through to your iPhone’s Summary page. If there is a new version of firmware available, press Update and it will automatically flash to your phone once downloaded.
• Make sure you’ve got a backup (by using the Sync button in iTunes) beforehand, as this procedure will wipe all the data and apps from your iPhone.
• Synching the phone – even by means of the Apple iTunes Sync button – is a delicate procedure that can turn your expensive phone into a paperweight, so be careful. Ensure your computer is firmly plugged into the power socket and your iPhone cable is securely connected to USB. It is crucial you wait until the entire process is complete before unplugging the iPhone.

The Jailbreak
The easiest application to jailbreak the iPhone with is QuickPWN. This doesn’t require any extra files or steps – simply connect the iPhone to the computer and launch the program. The steps are straightforward.

The jailbreaking isn’t an exact science, and the smallest deviation in your computer, iTunes set up or iPhone can result in the jailbreak failing. QuickPWN tends to be less error-prone than Pwnage Tool (on the Mac) or WinPwn (on PC), but if it doesn’t do the job for you, you will need to resort to other applications.

When it asks you where you’re a “legit iPhone user”, this simply refers to whether you purchase the iPhone 3G legitimately through an Australian iPhone carrier (in which case you answer Yes) or bought it from overseas.

Once Pwnage Tool/WinPwn has built the IPSW and you’ve successfully put your iPhone into ‘DFU Mode’ (the software guides you through this process), you can then use iTunes to resotre your iPhone to the custom setup.

A prompt will appear in iTunes saying that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode; hold the Alt key on a Mac or Shift key on a PC and click the Restore button. You can then select the backup you made using the Pwnage Tool/WinPwn and flash your iPhone with the jailbreak software.

After the iPhone was on the market for a few months, Apple realised that there was a budding community of people out there who wanted to create applications for the iPhone, so they partially relented on their strict stance by allowing developers to create web applications that ran through the web application Safari.

By the time they changed their stance, the iPhone had already been hacked and a wealth of various programs had been created to take advantage of the iPhone’s amazing power and intuitive interface.

Vetoed Applications
The launch of the iTunes iPhone App Store meant that there isn’t as great a need for jailbroken iPhones, but there are many great applications that Apple won’t allow into the App Store, such as MMS applications, video recorders and software that modifies the look and feel of the iPhone’s user interface. To get such applications, jailbreaking the iPhone is the only option, but this needs to be weighed against the risk of voiding the iPhone warranty and the risk of permanently damaging the iPhone in the process.

Timing is essential when putting your iPhone into this mode, as even half a second off the exact count can result in your iPhone being in recovery mode (characterised by the iTunes and cable logo on your iPhone screen) versus DFU mode (which results in a completely black screen).

If you’ve already got a custom IPSW file (the backup you create with your jailbreak software such as Pwnage Tool or WinPwn), you can put your iPhone into DFU mode by watching this YouTube clip and restoring the custom IPSW through iTunes.

Future iPhone Updates
Once you’ve gone through the entire ordeal of hacking your iPhone, you don’t want to unknowingly revert it back to the Apple-authorised software. If new iPhone software becomes available, do not download it until a new version of the jailbreaking software goes online – usually only a few days after the Apple software update is released. You’ll then have to go through the whole jailbreak procedure again.

Before you look through Cydia for some weird and wonderful applications, there are a few things worth mentioning.

First off, don’t assume that all the programs are free because they’re not in the App Store. Many of the best applications are available as trials and require you to pay a licensing fee over PayPal to continue using after the trial period expires.

Second, since there is no approval process for Cydia applications, there is no guarantee they won’t slow down your iPhone or cause other stability issues. Be wise when choosing applications, as Apple won’t fix your hacked iPhone, especially not under warranty.