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?"

Think of the towers

[ColdWetDog]

Those poor little cell phone towers. I'm glad somebody is thinking about them.

Re:hmm...

[Chrisq]

Absolutely, If you have a PC with a 3G wireless card you should not be allowed to install any software.

This will save us!

[Abraxis]

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!!).

Re:THE TERR'STS!

[Anonymous Coward]

I think we need a corollary to Godwin's Law as it pertains to linking actions to the Bush Administration. Is there no limit?

Re:Sorry, I have to do this

[KrimZon]

But if using the expression in the wrong order is outlawed,
the expression will only be used in the wrong order by outlaws.

Re:Problem with the phone or the network?

[schon]

a few rouge iPhones

I thought they only came in black?

hahahahaha

[Culture20]

and hahahahahaha!
Maybe if people put their jailbroken phones in trebuchets and fire them at cell towers...

Additional Research

[Kozar_The_Malignant]

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.

Re:Makes you wonder

[lfp.turk]

That is the same method apple has for their OS and not needing a virus scanner

Re:Think of the towers

[Anonymusing]

"Blueboxing. There's an app for that!"

Re:hmm...

[FriendlyPrimate]

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".

Re:Other smartphones?

[Beardo the Bearded]

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?

Re:Think of the towers

[Shakrai]

And does anyone seriously believe that someone willing to launch a DoS on a cell phone tower would be deterred because the jailbreaking process isn't legal?

Why not? Murderers are routinely deterred by the fact that it's illegal to possess firearms while in the commission of a crime.