[palm via bgr]

The second iPhone worm of the week carries with it a lot more risk than the first one. According to Intego Security, this new iPhone worm that is known as iPhone/Privacy.A uses the same hole that ikeeex found a few days ago to change the hacked iPhones’ background image into Rick Astley’s photo. The new iPhone worm, however, is a more serious one because it allows the hacker to install software without going through iTunes.

The new worm bypasses iTunes in jailbroken iPhones and iPod Touches and copy private data. These data include e-mail, contacts, SMSs, photos, music files, videos, calendar entries and saved data from apps. Intego explains:

Hackers using this tool will install it on a computer – Mac, PC, Unix or Linux – then let it work. It scans the network accessible to it, and when it finds a jailbroken iPhone, breaks into it, then steals data and records it.

This hacker tool could easily be installed, for example, on a computer on display in a retail store, which could then scan all iPhones that pass within the reach of its network. Or, a hacker could sit in an Internet café and let his computer scan all iPhones that come within the range of the wifi network in search of data. Hackers could even install this tool on their own iPhones, and use it to scan for jailbroken phones as they go about their daily business.

Intego recommends its own VirusBarrier X5 for the iPhone/Privacy.A malware. Also, you can simply change the SSH password. iPhone jailbreak is common to six to eight per cent of iPhone users.

[intego via mobilecrunch]

Aside from that, it also features a snappier browser as well as “support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements.” Needless to say, it’s a firmware update worth downloading. The video above is showcasing a v4.3 running Zune HD. To update to this latest firmware, just select Player Update on your ZuneHD and you’re good to go. Oh, and after you’re done, do hit us up in the comments section below as we’d love to hear how it goes out for you.

[mobiletechworld via engadget]

We rarely hear of a firmware update for a cheap Chinese PMP. Benss has recently announced one for the iCool BX-96 gamer with good reason. The BX-96 looks sleek, despite the PSP looks. The new firmware update, which can be uploaded from Benss site, gives the BX-96 a new 3D user interface. My Chinese is not too good but the new UI should have a more sensible feel about it. Also included in the firmware upgrade is support for 720p RMVB playback, as well as fix bugs, improve speed and stability. Besides the goodies that come with the update, the BX-96 is a 4.3-inch player and an 8- to 32-bit gamer (it even supports some 64-bit games) and comes with a 5 MP camera. This Benss gamer plays RMVB , RM, FLV, AVI, H.264 videos.

[via imp3]

Apple has just released iPhone firmware 3.1.2 which addresses issues concerning video streaming crashes, network service interruption, and inability to wake from sleep. Those of you who have been experiencing problems such as these on your iPhone will find this update most useful, but be forewarned jailbreaking aficionados, the iPhone Dev Team has already issued a strict warning. PwnageTool 3.1.3 and redsn0w are both still not compatible with iPhone OS 3.1.2. So if you dearly treasure your jailbroken and unlocked iPhone, it’s highly recommended you stay away from this update until further notice. However, if you’re already completely over jailbreaking and unlocking, then by all means, go ahead and hit the update button in iTunes and fire away.

[via engadget, iphone dev team]

[palm via engadget]

[mobilecrunch via unwiredview]

The ZuneHD will get a boost once it’s launched in earnest by Microsoft. The Zune 4.0 software is now available. There are no reviews yet of what the software has in store. The ZuneHD will get a boost once it’s launched in earnest by Microsoft. The Zune 4.0 software is now available. There are no reviews yet of what the software has in store but it’s a safe bet that this will be a significant improvement over the last update. The old Zunes only has update 3.2 available for them.

[via engadget]

Apple has just confirmed that new firmware also comes with an Exchange ActiveSync mailbox policy that now requires encryption on the device which, unfortunately, the original iPhone and iPhone 3G doesn’t come with. Only the iPhone 3G S supports this feature.

The solution? Ruling out the option of having to shell out your hard earned cash to buy the new iPhone 3G S, you’ll have to contact your Exchange Server administrator and hope that they’re amendable to turning off device encryption. That’s probably a long shot so the next best and most likely to work solution is to just lay off the iPhone OS 3.1.1 upgrade until a workaround is available.

[apple via engadget]

This new firmware features Genius app recommendations, iTunes 9 support, redeeming of iTunes Gift cards, code and the like in the App Store, and the ability to view available iTunes account credits in the App Store and iTune Store as well. We’re hoping that they’ve also finally found a way to address the battery life problem on the iPhone 3G S through this firmware update, but that maybe a little bit too much to ask at the moment. Anyway, as a consolation, those iPod Touch owners who laid of the iPhone OS 3.0 update due to its steep price will be happy to know that Apple has now lowered the price to just $4.95. Yeah, it’s still not free, but hey, at least it’s not that expensive anymore.

As usual, for those using jailbroken iPhones/iPod Touches (jailbreak 3.1.1?), you know the drill. Stay clear of any updates until the iPhone Dev Team says it’s finally ok to do so.

[apple, via engadget]