Jimiz.net – Jim Becher on the web

So today I updated my iPhone to 4.3.2 and Jailbroke it again.   I always get asked why I jailbreak.  The simple answer is because I like to hack devices.  The more to the point reasons are the cool customizations.  The business reason is simple, MyWi it allows me to make the device a wifi hotspot and always have internet where ever I go.

I used the redSn0w process to jail break.  You can follow this process it is for 4.3.1 but  but can work with 4.3.2 if you download the proper IPSW version.   Lifehacker always has hst up to date version of the files.

My intial attempt failed.   This is because I did not follow the steps for x64 and modify the affinity for redsnow.exe and set to cpu1

I also did not run redsn0w.exe as administrator.  To do that you just need to right click on the exe and select (run as administrator)

These steps are all in the instructions. Have fun and enjoy if you do decide to jail break.  Drop me a note with your experiences.   I

I have not jailbroken my iPad yet.  I do know this version will not do the iPad2

Update:  I got a note from someone asking if I backed up my iPhone prior to jailbreaking.  Yes, I used AptBackup for the jailbroken apps and did a lot of system file copy with ssh.

I went to a coffee shop today to do some work. Update a few documents and get some random things I have been putting off.    As always I log onto the coffee shop wireless and connect to my VPN.  (read other articles here and here).

After completing the items I had set out to do.  I took some time to do some poking around on the wifi.  Since wireless is basically you sharing a network with others, it is easy to see what people are doing.  I used a simple nmap query to see who my neighbors are.

That scan showed me 5 active people and their IP.   It also let me know that the router had HTTP running.   Since I already knew the PC names and what ports they had open. (some one had a web server running).  I decided to look at the wireless router.  To my surprise it was running DD-WRT, my favorite router firmware.    DDwrt is a very powerful router firmware that can turn a basic wireless router into a great device.

However there are a few settings you need to understand when using DDWRT.  One in particular is to disable the default status page for unauthenticated users.  This page shows a lot of information that you don’t want snooping people like me to see.   Things like:

• Public IP
• Firmware version
• Device Type and name
• Connected users (IP address, mac address, dhcp lease)

Not only was this on but I was able to also see the other computers on the network (with out doing a nmap scan).   So everyone who had connected in the last 2 hours pc was listed on this page.  I decided to push up a pic.  My pc is called TP2.

This is scary to me because someone took the time to use a great opensource Firmware but not the time to properly secure it.    It is also interesting to see the number of android devices that were using the wifi.  I guess the same is true for iPhone devices.

I can’t stress this enough, when on public wifi use a VPN.  If you don’t have one.  Head on over to wifi-vpn.com and subscribe or purchase.

The other item on the list is BT, that is the backtrack vm that I started to do some network sniffing.

If you are like I am and continue to use your iPhone / iPad for more then they are used for. Jailbreaking or just tinkering, you will love this great little app called iphone explorer

It is installed on either a PC or Mac and allows you to browse files on the ios device.
http://www.macroplant.com/iphoneexplorer/ I recently used it to update my customized iphone lock screen.

It allows you to both see files in the root directory and also the applications you have installed.

What a great simple tool to copy files to and from your iPhone and iPad.

I have a lot of apps loaded on the iPad. Many of these apps are games, productivity, social media, and just entertainment. However, there are a few that are really tech and work related. Since I am in the IT field I found a few apps that I would recommend.

Remote Desktop
1. winadmin – $8.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/winadmin-ipad-edition/id364898965?mt=8
This is the most simple tool to use for remote desktop, it is easy to use and just works. It is a great tool for the price
2. desktop connect – $14.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/desktop-connect/id364907570?mt=8
This app does both VNC and RDP. It has a lot of potential.
3. iTeleport – $24.99 install soft on the PC – http://www.iteleportmobile.com/
4. iTap – $11.99 – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itap-rdp-remote-desktop-for/id317062064?mt=8
LogMeIn #29.99 – https://secure.logmein.com/products/ignition/iphone/
Well done app. This app allows you to remotely use LogMeIn and access to PC. This cost is worth it if you use LogMeIn.
jump – $19.99 – www.jumpdesktop.com
This app does both VNC and RDP.

Remote control – VNC
VNC is a great remote control software. It is free and open source, supports windows, linux and Mac.

screens – $19.99 http://edovia.com/screens
Screens is probably the best VNC iPad app. The cost is not cheap but it always works. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/screens/id400012962?mt=8

realvnc – $9.99 – ok http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer/id352019548?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6
Is the 2nd best I can recommend. The cost is attractive.
Mocha VNC Lite – free – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mocha-vnc-lite/id284984448?mt=8 just that unattractive / good for ocasional users. I used this prior to getting screen.

Here is another link discussing VNC

http://lifehacker.com/5713455/the-best-vnc-apps-for-your-ipad

SSH
iSSH – $9.99 – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/issh-ssh-vnc-console/id287765826?mt=8
I love iSSH. It is simple and always seems to amaze me. From the quick control key send to the Xviewer that has a keyboard overlay.
SSH Terminal – $.99 – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ssh-terminal/id369875227?mt=8
A basic SSH client. Not many features, but it works.

Network tools
IT Tools – $4.99 – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/it-tools/id324054954?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
What a great tool. This allows you to ping, traceroute, DNS and arp tables.

iNetwork-utility -$2.99 – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/inetwork-utility/id378676317?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
The price of this app is fantastic. Ping, portscan, dns, whois, and Alexia info

zScan – $2.99 – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zscan/id381019397?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
A great network scanner. It will scan ports, udp, tcp, look for sql, banners. Overall a great tool to have.

Prior to having an iPhone I had a windows mobile device. That was a long time ago, and I don’t miss it at all. There is one aspect that I do miss. That is the ability to customize the home page / lock page.

Over the weekend I set out to customize my iPhone / iPad lock screen. If you have a jailbroke device you have the ability to do this. Here is my first run at customization.

Customized iPhone Lock Screen

There are many options if your device is jailbroken.

APPS:
Multibarlockscreen: http://www.hackthatphone.com/2x/themes_with_winterboard_section26.html
Homescreen 2.0: http://www.jailbreakitouch.com/index.php/articles/23-articles/144-homescreen-20-weather-widget-for-iphoneipod-touch.html
Intelliscreen: ($9.99)http://intelliborn.com/intelliscreen.html
LockInfo: http://lockinfo.ashman.com/

Each item has it’s advantage. Intelliscreen is the leader of the pack. I ended up going with Winterboard and a customized theme. I followed this tutorial.
http://lifehacker.com/#!5763876/how-to-customize-your-jailbroken-ios-lockscreen

I use DDWRT as my home router / firewall. It has some of the best features that can be found on a router. Visit DDWRT for more information.

I use the VPN when I am not in a trusted location. I have setup my iPhone, iPad, and computers to use this as my connection to the internet any time I am not at home. By having a secure connection I am comfortable using the web where ever I am. Connections from a non trusted connection, say a coffee shop wireless. Traffic from your computer is sent encrypted from the PC over the VPN to your home router, then out to the internet.

To setup the VPN on DDWRT you need to log into the admin section. Select SERVICES | VPN. You need to enable PPTP, Broadcast support, and Force MPPE Encryption.

The Server IP is the internal IP of your router (192.168.2.1 is what I use)
The Client IP(s) are the dynamic IP’s you want the connecting devices to use. I have set 192.168.2.200-220, this allows for 20 devices to connect and get IP’s.
CHAP-Secrets: the username / passwords for each user. Note the “*” after both the username and password.
Unless you have a Radius server keep that set to Disabled.

With DDWRT you can have a simple and easy VPN server setup at your home that allows you to connect securely back to your home or office. I often use my vpn to also remote take over machines at my house. I have my iPad configured to use this setting when ever I am on a non trusted connection.

I recently purchased the new Motorola s10 bluetooth headphones. What a great headphone set. I have been using my stock Iphone ear buds for most of my music listening. What I have found as I do a lot of running / biking is that the cord is a pain.

The s10 is both sweat proof and wireless. I have paired it with my iPhone and my Media center pc. They are very comfortable to wear and also run in. I have not had a chance to bike with them, I’m guessing it may be an issue with the helmet. The over the ear took me a bit to get used to, but I am now very comfortable with it.

I got a few questions from friends regarding the range these work with. I am able to set my iPhone on the kitchen counter and go all over the house and listen to music.

The only minor issue I have is with the buttons. They are a bit hard to press right on the ear area. The location of the buttons is fine, they just are a bit hard to press.

Currently you can purchase these from Best Buy
or a few other retailers online.

I have had an AOL AIM instant message account for a long time (jimiz12 – IM me if you like). Just recently in the last 4 days, I started to get text messages on my Cell Phone from AIM. I thought that was interesting because I don’t remember every giving AOL / AIM my cell phone number. If I remember properly I did not even have this cellphone number when I created my AIM account.

I wonder what changed on the AIM side. I also wonder how they got my cellphone. Here is a picture of one of the messages. It is interesting that they allow you to block the message by responding. I decided I did not want to reply at all to let them know what I was even on the other end (at first I thought this was spam – not from AOL / AIM).

AOL Spam

So I decided to actually log into AIM and see what setting were available. I typically use Diggsby for my IM client (that does not contain my phone number either). To check AIM settings I used the web version of AIM. It had a thing called Lifestream, I’m starting to think that lifestream is the cause of this new text spam. I finally stumbled upon a AIM mobile setting that allows you to turn off text messages from that system. Interestingly enough, I don’t remember ever telling them I wanted or would like to get text messages. Since I have not logged into AIM in a long time (few years) I can’t imagine that I just recently said yes to anything.

Here is the process to go into AIM and turn off the text messages. Again, interesting. They ask me for my cellphone number and they will send me a code to disable messages. Good thing I have a texting plan, or this would have cost me money.

Here is the message with the confirmation code. In step 4 you get to disable the text messages, I can’t imagine why I would have enabled them in the beginning.

After this process I am starting to wonder how much more text spam I will be getting in the future. I think with any service, I will start using my google voice number to allow for text spam to be handled in my browser instead of my phone.

The team over at Universal Mind has created a great brainstorming capture and sharing application called ibrainstorm. You can download this app over at itunes. This app works for both the iPhone and the iPad. What a great working app to create and share ideas.

iPad
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibrainstorm/id382252825?mt=8

iPhone
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibrainstorm/id382252825?mt=8

The Universal mind team had a great celebration party out at the HopCat in Grand Rapids. Congrats to the team for a well done application.

If you are part of the group that is having reception issues with your new iPhone 4, here is a great DIY bumper.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/iphone-4-gets-a-1-alternative-to-pricey-bumpers/

Instead of purchasing a $30 bumper, you can make one with a $1 Bracelet.
What would be interesting is if you could find an Apple branded bracelet.

It looks like apple is shipping / delivering the iPhone 4 before June 24th.

Maybe this is a good faith gesture for all the issues that surrounded the pre-order of the iPhone 4. No matter what the cause or the reason, this is great to see a company hit a deadline and also come in early.

It is amazing how reliant you get on internet access. Over the weekend a few things happened with our family and the need to communicate and send messages. I realized that I have become dependent on being able to either just pick up a phone or have some type of communication.

Because of the location where we were the cell signal is weak. If you go outside you are ok, however in a rainstorm it is a bit difficult to go outside and have a conversation.

In the end I was able to get the wifi back up (we get wifi from a very long distance repeater – high wind can cause some interference). Used a few tools to forward calls and in the end my favorite google voice to make a few calls.

The difficult part was anticipation of not having WiFi and missing the worldcup games on Saturday. (Thank you ESPN3)

I take technology for granted. As much as I would love to say that I could get along fine without some forms of technology I would struggle.

The keynote speech by Steve Jobs was great. I personally like the moment where the wifi was not working. Beyond that little issue the overall presentation was great. Especially the launch of the new iPhone. I can’t wait to get my hands on the new device. I don’t think of myself as a gadget geek, however I use the iPhone as a business tool. From email, cellphone, remote access, and notes I find that the little device is priceless. My only complaint with my current iPhone (3g) is the speed. It seems to have got slower over time.

So come the end of June I am guessing I will have a new phone, maybe even one for my wife. I’ve been with ATT since ’99, when it was ATTwireless.

There has been a lot of talk in the news about AT&T allowing people still in contract till the end of the year getting an early upgrade deal. To check if this is available to you, you only need to go online and check availability or just call *639#. ATT will text you back if the account can upgrade. As you can see, I am ready to be the proud owner of a new iPhone if I desire.

I hope everyone else has the chance to upgrade.

I have read a lot of great posts on tips and tricks on the iPad. Here are a few that I use the most.

1. I love the feature of a soft reset (I use this on my iPhone a lot) You hold down Top button and the Home button (the only two real physical buttons) for a few seconds and it will cause a reset.

2. Screen Shots – I got a lot of emails from people asking how I was able to get screen grabs from the iPad for the VPN post (iPad VPN setup). I used the screen capture trick on the iPad (this also works on the iPhone) : You hold down the power button (top) and the home button (bottom) for about a half-second and it will do a screen capture that is saved into your pictures area.

3. Web page scrolling. How many times have you been on a page that scrolls down forever on the iPad. Then you realize that you want to get back to the top to get to the navigation. Well all you need to do is hit the title bar and it will take you back to the top. I wish I would have known this one earlier.

4. Quick Mute : just hold down the down volume button. I use this one when the Strawberry shortcake video is too loud…. (kids)

5. Remove “Sent from my iPad” in your email: This is a not really a tip but a suggestion. I don’t like to promote the fact that I’m using an iPad or iPhone. : go to Settings | Mail, Contact, Calendar | Signature. You can remove it completely or replace it.

6. Add Web link to Home Screen: I often visit some sites more than others. You can save that link directly to your iPad home screen. I have lifehacker there. When in Safari on the ipad select the favorites button (the Plus “+”) sign, then select “Add to Home Screen”

7. Try to stay out of direct sunlight : Just like MACbooks the screen does not do well in areas with lots of sunlight. You can push the brightness as high as it can go, but it is still hard to read.

The folks over at fastmac.com are working to create the u-socket. It is a power outlet with two USB jacks in the plate. This is a great little product. So far it has had some delays. Head on over and check out the specs – http://fastmac.com/usocket.

This little gem is available for order for $20.00. Sounds like it is not available yet. I plan on ordering this today. From other forums it sounds like it will power an iPad 10W power. We will have to see. Not only does this allow for a central charging station, it will make for a clean layout.