How to Change Root Password to Secure Your iPhone

by iPhoneHeat on Nov 6, 2009

As reported earlier that a hacker successfully breaks into jailbroken iPhones with SSH installed/enabled.

What the hacker did is he scanned all those Jailbroken iPhones with SSH enabled and Default root password. Using that password he then sent a message to the hacked iPhones.

If you have jailbreak your iPhone and want to secure yourself from such infiltration, only thing you need to do is that enable SSH only when needed and make sure you change the root password used to SSH into iPhone.

Change Root Password of Your iPhone

In this iPhone guide you will learn how to change root password of your jailbroken iPhone or iTouch. Install the MobileTerminal. If you don’t have MobileTerminal installed in your iPhone then:

Open the Cydia and go to Search Tab. Search for MobileTerminal.

Tap the MobileTerminal from the search results.
Tap the Install button at the top-right

Now tap the confirm button at the top-right.
Once you’re done with the installation, press the big Return to Cydia button.

Now press the Home button to close the Cydia and open the MobileTerminal from your iPhone SpringBoard.

type su and press return key at the bottom-right.
Now input alpine as your password and press return key.

Once the password is entered correctly, you’ll be logged in as root user.
Now input passwd and press return key

You will be prompted to input a new password for root. Input your desired new password and press return.

you’ll be asked to retype your new password again and hit return key.

You have changed your root password used to SSH into iPhone. Now you need to change your mobile password as well (thanks Jim for the tip)

Now type passwd mobile and hit return key.

Old Password: alpine

then you’ll be asked for new password twice. It is OK to use the same new password you used for the root account. Just don’t use ‘alpine’.

You’ve secured your iPhone by changing root password from unauthorized access.