RIM Looks into Hacking Claims
http://dervishcom.blogspot.com/2011/12/rim-looks-into-hacking-claims.html
Research in Motion Ltd. said Wednesday it is investigating claims by online hackers that they have been able to access some of the proprietary systems, software and tools that run the company's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet computer.
Several hackers bragged in social-media posts early this week that they were successful in “jail breaking“ the PlayBook. Jail breaking, also called rooting, is a common practice in which hackers gain access to the inner workings of phones, tablets and other devices.
Then, they make this information widely available to others, who can use it to create unauthorized code or fashion homemade applications for the devices, much to the manufacturers' chagrin.
Companies -- eager to keep control of the apps and functions they allow to run on their products -- typically issue software updates for devices once they have been rooted.
Jail-break experts have generally gone after high-profile consumer products such as Apple Inc. iPhones and iPads. The hacking is typically geared toward customizing an individual's personal device in a way that isn't authorized by the manufacturer. It doesn't usually threaten the data security of other users of the device.
Jail-break hackers have tended not to target RIM, in part because its products haven't typically had the same sort of consumer cachet as rivals', but also because of its reputation for security. The PlayBook has sold poorly, but it has won high marks for some features, including its video-game capabilities and its security. It was the first tablet to earn the U.S. government's top security certification.
In some cases, big technology companies hire those who have successfully tapped into their systems, to learn how they broke in and to use that knowledge to improve their products. In a written statement Wednesday, RIM said it was aware of “researchers, who claim to have performed a jail break on their own BlackBerry PlayBook tablet only.“
RIM said that it has been in contact with one of these individuals. Chris Wade, a high-profile New York-based hacker who has conducted jail breaks of Apple products, was among those who made the claims about the PlayBook this week.
In an interview, Mr. Wade said that a recent move by RIM to drop the price of the PlayBook tablet made the device more attractive as a target. Mr. Wade, who describes himself as a technology specialist, said jail breaks are his hobby. He declined to discuss the details of his hacking. Mr. Wade said RIM had been in touch. He said he wants to make his methodology available to others before sharing the details with RIM.
Several hackers bragged in social-media posts early this week that they were successful in “jail breaking“ the PlayBook. Jail breaking, also called rooting, is a common practice in which hackers gain access to the inner workings of phones, tablets and other devices.
Then, they make this information widely available to others, who can use it to create unauthorized code or fashion homemade applications for the devices, much to the manufacturers' chagrin.
Companies -- eager to keep control of the apps and functions they allow to run on their products -- typically issue software updates for devices once they have been rooted.
Jail-break experts have generally gone after high-profile consumer products such as Apple Inc. iPhones and iPads. The hacking is typically geared toward customizing an individual's personal device in a way that isn't authorized by the manufacturer. It doesn't usually threaten the data security of other users of the device.
Jail-break hackers have tended not to target RIM, in part because its products haven't typically had the same sort of consumer cachet as rivals', but also because of its reputation for security. The PlayBook has sold poorly, but it has won high marks for some features, including its video-game capabilities and its security. It was the first tablet to earn the U.S. government's top security certification.
In some cases, big technology companies hire those who have successfully tapped into their systems, to learn how they broke in and to use that knowledge to improve their products. In a written statement Wednesday, RIM said it was aware of “researchers, who claim to have performed a jail break on their own BlackBerry PlayBook tablet only.“
RIM said that it has been in contact with one of these individuals. Chris Wade, a high-profile New York-based hacker who has conducted jail breaks of Apple products, was among those who made the claims about the PlayBook this week.
In an interview, Mr. Wade said that a recent move by RIM to drop the price of the PlayBook tablet made the device more attractive as a target. Mr. Wade, who describes himself as a technology specialist, said jail breaks are his hobby. He declined to discuss the details of his hacking. Mr. Wade said RIM had been in touch. He said he wants to make his methodology available to others before sharing the details with RIM.
