Change your jailbroken iPhone’s SSH password before it’s too late!

With the number of we iPhone users jailbreaking our devices, that means iPhone security has officially become an issue.  Why you ask? Well, for one, did you know that someone – ANYONE – can access your jailbroken iPhone’s file system without you even knowing? Scary huh?  Well, there is a very quick and extremely secure process you can take in order to protect your iPhone.  All you need to do is change the SSH password on your phone. This is done from the iPhone itself using an app from Cydia called Mobile Terminal, and it’s totally free!

Being the über geek that I am, I did this long ago, but I realize many users of a jailbroken iPhone have NOT done this.  If you had a jailbroken iPhone and changed your SSH password but upgraded to iPhone OS 3.X then jailbroke it again, you MUST change your SSH password again. If you never changed it to begin with, then all you have to do is follow the steps below.

Open Cydia, and search for and install the app called MobileTerminal. It’s small, so it shouldn’t long. Once downloaded, launch it. Once open, type the command at the prompt:  passwd

Now you will be prompted for your old password which, by default, is alpine. Next, enter the new password of your choice. You will then be asked to enter it again to verify.

Congratulations. You have successfully changed your iPhone SSH password. Rest assured knowing that your iPhone is now VERY secure!

I’ve seen the geek promise land!

I just got back from a literal geek utopia. I finally got to visit the Apple Store at the Summit in Birmingham.

I think I have a bruise on my chin from it dragging the floor. If it’s Apple, then let me assure you it’s in there. Of course, I had to buy something. I bought one of the iPod docks that works with the Apple remote, because my dock is the old school kind that doesn’t have the IR receiver and s-vid output. It was only $40. I really wanted to buy a Mac Pro with a 30″ cinema display, but Becky would have killed me. No seriously, I’d be dead. That rig would cost over $3000, but it is SO worth it!

The first thing that caught my eye was the Genius Bar in the back of the room. The guys who work there wear t-shirts with the word “genius” on them. That’s an understatement. If it is Apple, iPod, or Mac related, then they know it. No joke. You think I’m a geek? Go talk to one of those guys.

Another interesting thing is the absence of cash registers. That’s right. There are zero cash registers in the store. When you are ready to complete your purchase, one of the many available Apple professionals whips out a hand-held device, swipes your card, and your receipt is e-mailed to you. Top that Michael Dell!

Well, that’s enough of my drooling over the Apple Store for now. I am sure you’ll hear more from me on the subject in the future.