How "Safe" is Jailbreaking

I have a similar question, actually. I'm considering jailbreaking just for the use of GBA4iOS -- not browsing Cydia for hacks or apps, not looking for pirated premium games. One app that I already trust, and that's it. But I know that jailbreaking allows access to parts of the device that are usually sealed off. Is there any danger of malicious sites, emails, etc. attacking my phone, or is the danger limited to actual apps? I use my phone for sensitive operations, such as banking, and I can't really afford any risk. Any experience or advice would be appreciated.

 

It is extremely safe. It enables you to potentially do things that aren't safe, but you probably won't do those things.

Just because your computer enables you to potentially delete the entire system folder if you drag it into the trash, that doesn't mean you're going to do it. Jailbreaking is a lot like that - it gets rid of some of the restrictions the system puts in place to prevent apps from doing things like that.

If you install crazy theme engines from Chinese sites that patch system files at startup, there might be some dangers. If you install carefully vetted emulators from reputable sources, there is zero danger.

 

^excellent explanation.

There can be trouble if you consider online banking on your device though. Many banking apps are able to detect a jailbroken device and will refuse from running. There are some tweaks around to bypass this detection, though, which doesnt mean that it works in any case. So just keep that in mind, korossyl.

 

I was a bit paranoid but everything was fine. I just jailbreaked before for emulators. Not cracked apps or anything. Just wanted emilators

Eventually sold my phone so I just restored it to factory settings to get rid of the jailbreak

Don't listen to any paranoid stories about jail breaking. It's fine. Just don't go to any dodgy Chinese sites to install stuff

I was jailbroken for a year and loved it

 

Jailbreaking can be great. I think just by jailbreaking your device it might leave it more open to security problems in general but I could be wrong. I stopped jailbreaking because in the end. It always screwed with my device and caused problems. I REALLY just want unlimited pages. Is that so hard for Apple to implement?

 

I had jailbroken devices before and it's pretty safe.

I decided not to jailbreak my ipad air though, as im not really abusing the things offered by the jailbreak. I was mainly using the jailbreak for emulators, but they kill my gaming time with the iOS titles therefore just adding to my pile of backlog.

Without the jailbreak and no emulator, i am able to complete a good number of titles already.

 

It's safe. Just don't update/delete anything without knowing what it is and what it does.

 

i really dont know why people think that jailbreak is something bad and terrible,i can't use all my idevices without jailbreak becase it's boring,i want to change themes,iwidgets...

 

I've been jail breaking since 2012 & it's never bricked of rendered my phone useless

 

I've been using my devices jailbroken for a long time and there was only one time when it caused trouble and that was me deleting some cache files thinking they were just cache files. My iPad wouldn't boot after that. But a simple restore fixed that.

 

This is all really encouraging to me, and to the OP also, I'm sure. Thanks so much, everyone. If I'm understanding all of this correctly, then, the only security risks from jailbreaking come from stupid but deliberate actions on the part of the user. Is there no danger that a malicious website can run some code or install an app without the user's knowledge or permission?

I think I'm getting really keen on this idea. I'm grateful for TA's guest article on the topic, and for y'all's comments here.

 

As long as you don't add shady repos to Cydia and change your SSH password you'll be safe.
Ps last year there was a SSL bug that allowed man on middle attacks and Cydia developer Ryan Petrich released a fix before Apple did.

 

Hm, yeah, I read about that someplace when I was looking into this for the first time. But I don't see mention of it in the TA article. Could you point me in the direction of a good set of instructions on resetting the SSH password?

 

https://cydia.saurik.com/password.html
There you go

 

Empirical evidence from me:

My devices bricked by jailbreaking: 0
My devices bricked by installing iOS8: 1

Just make a full backup beforehand in iTunes, learn how to backup your SHSH blobs, and immediately change your SSH password!

Then... just watch what you install. Worst case scenario - restore your backup and/or start over as if it was a 'new' device.

 

SHSH blobs? Aren't those just for installing versions of iOS? Do you need those for just basic-level stuff?

 

No. Just save them in case you accidentaly update the iOS version, or want to go to the older version for some reason. I jailbroke several phones since 2010 and only downgraded once per friend's request.

Just make sure that everything is alright with the iOS version you are upgrading to and you should be fine. Just don't go clicking something you've got no idea what it does.

 

I'd get them in case you need them in the future.