Most iPhone users have heard about the many pluses of jailbreaking their iPhone. However, even though there are several reasons you might consider jailbreaking your phone, there are also risks to consider. As of publication, jailbreaking the iPhone is legal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, according to the U.S. Copyright Office.
Voided Warranty
While the DMCA recognizes jailbreaking as a legal activity, Apple has enabled a policy to deter the practice. If you jailbreak your iPhone, the warranty is considered void. This means you can't take your iPhone to Apple for any other maintenance or repairs should it be damaged after being jailbroken.
Bricking
The process of jailbreaking the iPhone involves removing and re-installing the iOS firmware with an augmented firmware package. This process, if done incorrectly or interrupted, can sometimes result in what is known as "bricking." The term refers to rendering the iPhone inoperable and essentially useless, a proverbial brick. While a restoration to factory settings can rectify this issue and allow for a second attempt, this potentially irritating setback can eat up your time, especially if it happens more than once.
Bugs and Glitches
Sometimes, the jailbreak process or the specific jailbreak program used can create a glitch. The nature of glitches and bugs depends on the individual jailbreak, but can range from the jailbreaking program simply not working, to errors when the altered firmware package is installed. Some apps or features that functioned fine before the jailbreak may no longer work, or have glitchy operation.
Security Issues
The jailbreak process can also leave your iPhone vulnerable to malware attack. During the installation of the new firmware, malware can be installed onto your iPhone. This malware may be packaged into the jailbreaking program, or already present on your computer.
Data Usage
Your iPhone's data usage may go up with the addition of new applications that may use large quantities of data. At time of publication, AT&T features bandwidth caps instead of an unlimited plan, which can be easily reached when using large quantities of data. After the cap is breached, additional charges will be added to your plan, which can quickly build up and create a sizable bill.
Tags: your iPhone, firmware package, jailbreak process, jailbreaking iPhone, jailbreaking program, large quantities, large quantities data