What is Jailbreaking, Cracking, or Rooting a Mobile Device? (2024)

WHAT IS JAILBREAKING, CRACKING, OR ROOTING A MOBILE DEVICE?

Rooting, cracking, or jailbreaking a mobile device, in practice, is essentially the same thing. Essentially, rooting is the term used for modifying Androids while jailbreaking is the term used for iPhones.

Jailbreaking or rooting means removing software restrictions that are intentionally put in place by the device manufacturer. This process, basically, opens a door of a locked-down electronic device to install software other than what the manufacturer has made available for that device. Additionally, when you jailbreak or root your phone or tablet, it allows you to gain full access to the root of the operating system and access all the features.

WHY WOULD A COMPANY BLOCK SOMEONE FROM USING PRODUCTS OR CERTAIN APPS?

Generally, the built-in software restrictions on cellphones or tablets are geared toward user safety, legal protections, and, of course, revenue.

IS JAILBREAKING SAFE?

No. Jailbreaking, rooting, or cracking your phone is not safe. Jailbroken phones offer an opportunity for cybercriminals to hack your phone, including the data on your phone. To maintain that Pearl Hawaii account information is safe from cybercriminals while you are utilizing our online apps and products, do not jailbreak, root, or crack your phone.

When you jailbreak your phone, you are giving up that device’s dedication to security. Side-loaded apps are not checked and screened through your app store and therefore represent a security risk. When you jailbreak your phone, you may stop receiving important security updates, including the security updates that Apple or Android releases, leaving you more exposed to the latest security threats.

Therefore, devices often warn against jailbreaking or rooting your device. When a device gets a virus, it is often because the phone has been jailbroken. If something goes wrong with the phone, it is up to you to fix it, because the act will void your warranty.

Any malicious activity puts your data at risk. Because jailbroken phones lack sufficient security, you are putting yourself at greater risk of a cyber-attack.

JAILBREAKING, CRACKING AND ROOTING DISADVANTAGES

Typically, companies consider jailbreaking the device as a violation of its terms and conditions of use and advise customers that the practice exposes a phone to several risks, including:

• Security vulnerabilities
• Stability issues
• Potential crashes and freezes
• Shortened battery life
• You will no longer receive automatic updates
• Inability to apply some software updates
• Voiding the phone’s warranty
• You may brick your phone (A bricked phone does not boot, respond to input, or make calls)
• You can lose access to content or services
• Unreliable voice and data
• Make you vulnerable to a Data breach

HOW TO FIX A JAILBROKEN PHONE

You can fix a jailbroken device by merely restoring your phone or tablet to its original manufacturer settings. You do not need to manually delete the jailbreak apps you installed because the procedure deletes everything from the device. Essentially, the process of removing the jailbreak will completely wipe your device and restore it to stock configuration.

If you need to do this, you may want to perform a full backup of your phone or tablet. The best practice to do this is to save your backup file on 2 locations: locally and on the cloud.

USEFUL LINKS

• To learn more about identity theft fraud safety visit ID Theft Center.
• If you think you’ve been a victim of identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) or visit the Federal Trade Commission’s site to learn more.
• If you believe your Social Security Number is being used fraudulently contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.
• It’s a good idea to get a copy of your credit report each year from each credit-reporting agency. You can get a free credit report yearly from the Annual Credit Report website at annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228 where you will go through a simple verification process over the phone. It is important that you obtain and review a copy of your credit report once a year to make sure your information is accurate.
• For financial literacy, check out Upgrade| our blog or our financial education page.