The PwnageTool is an open source application that is designed to create a custom firmware file that runs unsigned code for the iPod, iPad, and iPhone commonly referred to as jailbreaking the respective device. This lets you restore your Apple device to a pre-unlocked or pre-activated firmware file (aka pre-jailbroken). Unlike other competing jailbreaking applications such as ZiPhone, the PwnageTool is not a firmware specific hack which lets it run on any firmware.
What is the Difference in Jailbreaking and Unlocking a Phone?
When a phone or other mobile device is jailbroken, the user has the ability to install applications that are not approved by Apple via a third party such as Cydia. When a device or phone is unlocked, you have the ability to use it with a different carrier than it was originally intended (for example using an AT&T phone on Sprint). You have to jailbreak a phone, however to be able to install unlocking software such as ultrasn0w. When you purchase a 3G-GSM iPad, they ship from the factory unlocked already.
What Tasks Can the PwnageTool Accomplish?
Since the PwnageTool is not firmware specific, it can typically jailbreak a new firmware release almost immediately. It can also be used to create a custom boot logo for your iPhone or iPod if you have had enough of the standard Apple boot logo. The application can also be used to restore the device to a normal firmware (ie Un-PWN the iPod/iPad/iPhone).
What is the Current Version of the PwnageTool?
The creators of the PwnageTool recently released PwnageTool 4.3. Some users refer to it as PwnageTool 4 or PwnageTool 4.1, however, it was based on Apples latest firmware, FW 4.3.1 and is an untethered jailbreak. The tool works on all versions of Apple devices that support FW 4.3.1 except for the iPad 2. These include: iPhone 4(GSM), iPhone3GS, iPod Touch 3G, iPod Touch 4G, iPad 1, AppleTV 2G. If you use ultrasn0w unlock, you will need to wait a little bit to use the latest version of the PwnageTool, however, as the developers are working on a suitable ultrasn0w iPhone unlock utility program that is fully compatible with the latest firmware. Windows users will have to rely on the Sn0wbreeze 2.2 (PwnageTool port for Windows) application as the PwnageTool is not yet available for Windows.
What are the Dangers with Using the PwnageTool?
First, you void your warranty with Apple. The company is also of the stance that the act is not legal. A quote from the company from not too far back, “The technological protection of Apple’s key copyrighted computer programs in the iPhone device itself and copyrighted content owned by Apple that plays on the iPhone resulting in copyright infringement, potential damage to the device and other potential harmful physical effects.”
On the practical front, once an iPhone is jailbroken, it is not beyond Apple’s content and security controls and can allow other programs such as the Cydia app installer to run as root on the iPhone. This means, that your phone could then be more open to computer malware attack. More likely, is if you or someone you know isn’t exactly technological savvy and attempts to run the PwnageTool and gets in over your head. Next thing you know, you can have a high-priced paper-weight if you don’t know what you’re doing!
Where Can You Get the PwnageTool?
There are a number of mirrors of the tool up on the Internet. The official dev team, releases the prodct to torrents and publishes a hash to compare against the application that you download. Quality control of mirrored sites for the PwnageTool are not guaranteed by the developers.
dl.crzz.co/PwnageTool_4.3.dmg
osxdaily.com/2011/04/03/pwnagetool-4-3-download/
torrents.thepiratebay.org/6293151/PwnageTool_4.3.dmg.6293151.TPB.torrent
Related posts:
- iTunes Error 1601 A really annoying error that can arise for iPhone or...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
