Do You Really Need the iPad Firmware iOS 3.2.2 Update?

You may have read some PDF files on your iPad. Well as it turns out, Apple has just released a fix for a pretty serious PDF security hole on the iPad. iOS version 3.2.2 does have one side effect: it makes JailbreakMe 2.0 unusable. The reason for this is that Dev-Team developers used the PDF exploit to make jailbreaking your iPad through the Safari browser possible.

Problem is that since Apple released a fix for the bug to protect everyone who opens PDF files through Safari, Comex has released the source code of the exploit to the public. What does this mean? It means that malicious code can easily be crafted to break into iPads running firmware 3.2.1 or earlier.

The plot does thicken, however when you examine what jailbreaking your iPad makes possible. True, iPads without the Apple 3.2.2 firmware update are vulnerable to the PDF exploit. This is what makes them so easily jailbreakable. But once they are jailbroken, software on the Cydia app store makes it possible to protect yourself against an undetected PDF.

Installing PDF Loading Warner will ask you before a PDF file is opened in Safari, protecting against a possible intrusion. This program is only available on jailbroken iPads. Similarly, developers have made improved patches for the PDF exploit available for jailbroken iPads that can be installed after jailbreaking to prevent any future problems with the issue.

If you don't care about jailbreaking then installing Apple's iOS 3.2.2 update makes sense. The problem is solved and you never have to worry about this exploit being used against your iPad to steal private data or make the device unusable. If you're interested in jailbreaking then don't use Apple's firmware update in iTunes!

Run the JailbreakMe 2.0 program from your Safari browser and search for PDF Loading Warner or PDF Patch from the Cydia jailbreak app store. Once these are installed your iPad will be protected against the bug and you'll also be jailbroken, permitting all kinds of unofficial software to run on your device. Of course, remember that jailbreaking violates your Apple warranty.