Within days of the iPhone’s first release, enterprising hackers had posted all sorts of tutorials and guides to cracking Apple’s secure operating system. The notorious hacker DVD John was responsible for various reverse engineering projects (getting the details of systems one is not supposed to know) was the first to write a software program for hacking the iPhone in just five miniscule days from the iPhone’s release.

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.

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