Tonight there's gonna be a JailBreak(Me) for iOS4 users

Got one of those new snazzy iPhone 4 phones, do ya? You say you're a crazy app freak who just can't settle for what Apple allows on their iTunes store and you want your favorite daily horoscope app to run? WHAT?!?! Apple doesn't approve that app? Well, you're in luck!

Today JailbreakMe is live and available for your rebellious self to download and enjoy, courtesy of the Library of Congress who made the program legal, and the fine folks at JailbreakMe.com who hacked the exploit in the Mobile Safari Browser to develop this free online based tool.

After Jailbreaking your iPhone, you'll be able to download a host of buggy, non verified iPhone apps; a feature Android OS users have loved and loathed since day one. But it's not just limited to iPhone users. iPad users can also frolic in the seedy world of portable device hackers by using JailbreakMe. It'll run on all versions of the iPhone if you're using iOS4 (stability issues have been reported by users using iOS3 releases). JailbreakMe is so easy to use, even your grandma can do it. In fact, I think I saw your grandma updating her Facebook about it. It involved lots of "Woot woots" and whatever the seniors are using for slang these days. You might as well give Jailbreaking a shot. What else are you going to do while you wait 4-5 weeks for that free Apple bumper case for you iPhone? It's either this or you can practice holding that phone the right way. You find all you need to get started here.

While it is no longer a legal issue to Jailbreak your iPhone (iPad included), it should be noted that doing so may void your Apple warranty. In some cases, it could completely brick your device, making your phone or tablet a really expensive (but slick looking) paper weight.

If you're a pansy and too scared to Jailbreak your device, you can wait around for that horoscope app to get approved by Apple. But who knows when Uncle Steve and his cronies will get around to it. And without that horoscope to tell you, you may never know when it does happen. Think about THAT.

The ability to unlock your iPhone for use on other US carriers will be a feature in an upcoming release of JailbreakMe. Stay tuned to Byte Down for more information on that.

Hacker nerd is listening to your phone calls

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Unless you're in Vegas and talking on your cell phone this weekend near the DefCon hacker conference. In this case, cell phone hacker Chris Paget could use his device, the IMSI catcher, to listen in while you're relaying your dirty hooker story to your buddy back home.

While Paget is among the pale army hell bent on "exposing security invulnerabilities" for the betterment of society and/or complete world domination, he simply wants to show that GSM is broken in this case. GSM is, for lack of a better term, 2G; which is just means "2nd generation" of cellular technology. 3G is the third. If 4G requires an explanation, please simply surf away from this page.

If you use a 3G enabled device and make your phone calls over a 3G connection, you're not vulnerable to this sort of mobile privacy raping. But if your carrier is known for inconsistent 3G coverage and requires your GSM phone to revert to 2G, your phone calls could wind up being YouTube fodder faster than the latest Mel Gibson outburst (though we challenge you to make it nearly as entertaining).

Paget's device cost him a mere $1,500 to create. While this may seem like hefty amount, I advise you to never underestimate the buying power and determination of hacker nerds. If they want to live vicariously through your non-3G protected phone calls, they'll do it. It's cheaper than those late night 976 numbers and it doesn't show up on their mom's phone bills. And if they manage to snag your credit card number while listening to you order a pizza, even better.

Bottom line, this is a good hack. None of the phone carriers want to talk about this at the moment because it simply makes the technology in their phones look bad. Which phone are effected? Any phone that uses GSM. Which phones use GSM? Just about ALL phones on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks (yes....even the iPhone). You can safe guard yourself by making sure that you're using your 3G network when on a call. If you notice that you're on EDGE or something other than 3G, just be mindful that there may be a fatty with a neck beard on the other end listening to your every word.

Click here to read the unmolested story from The Washington Post.