Comex, the Hacker Behind JailbreakMe.com, Hired as Apple Intern

[MacRumors]

Comex, the hacker behind JailbreakMe.com, is joining Apple as an intern. JailbreakMe.com made it extremely easy for iOS users to jailbreak their devices simply by visiting a website. He announced the hiring on Twitter:

It's been really, really fun, but it's also been a while and I've been getting bored. So, the week after next I will be starting an internship with Apple.

Forbes unmasked Comex as Nicholas Allegra, a 19-year old Brown University student from Chappaqua, NY, by Forbes. In that article, Allegra described jailbreaking as "like editing an English paper... You just go through and look for errors. I don't know why I seem to be so effective at it."

Allegra's latest jailbreak utilized an exploit in Apple's PDF renderer to run custom software to crack iOS devices. Apple patched the bug after little more than a week, but the elegant solution, and the complete ease with which it allowed users jailbreak their phones, illustrate the talent that Allegra has.

The Forbes article ended by wondering if Apple's security team needs a new intern. It seems that they do, though Allegra didn't specify what he will be working on at Apple.

This isn't the first time Apple has hired from the jailbreak community. Earlier this year MobileNotifier developer Peter Hajas was picked up as an Apple summer intern. Unlike Hajas, however, Allegra has actually been responsible for some of the tools that have made jailbreaking possible on the iPhone.

Article Link: Comex, the Hacker Behind JailbreakMe.com, Hired as Apple Intern

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Good for him, and good for Apple.

 

[iEnvy]

Pay him a ***** load of cash, he'll probably make iOS security tighter

 

[OceanView]

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No more jb. Crap

 

[rockosmodurnlif]

If you can't beat 'em, hire 'em.

Wonder how different this story would be if the courts hadn't ruled jailbreaking as legal.

 

[Slix]

Interesting. We'll see how this plays out. Most likely good for both of them.

 

[Warbrain]

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No more jb. Crap

There will continue to be jailbreaks. But I suspect you'll be seeing less reason for users to do it as iOS evolves.

If you can't beat 'em, hire 'em.

Wonder how different this story would be if the courts hadn't ruled jailbreaking as legal.

Likely the same. Hire whoever is the smartest and best, even if they're hacking your OS. iOS will only improve from this addition.

 

[Jibbajabba]

If you can't fight them - join them .... That is Apple's way of getting the 'Jailbreak Patent' lol

 

[chrmjenkins]

Microsoft employs the same strategy and it works for them. Sony, well, they punish their hackers. *Looks at financial results of Apple, Microsoft and Sony* Hmm, I wonder who has the right approach.

 

[wordoflife]

I wonder what Apple wants from him (as in, are they really going to ask him to help lock down the OS?)

 

[superstrikertwo]

Same thing governments do. Hire the hackers trying to get into their systems. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[nfl46]

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I'm not surprised! Good luck to him. Well deserved! Great school, by the way! Guy is brilliant!

 

[Joshwawilson]

There will continue to be jailbreaks. But I suspect you'll be seeing less reason for users to do it as iOS evolves.



Likely the same. Hire whoever is the smartest and best, even if they're hacking your OS. iOS will only improve from this addition.

Nicely put

 

[QuarterSwede]

Same thing governments do. Hire the hackers trying to get into their systems. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

I'll tweak that slightly: Put them in jail, then once they're out hire them.

 

[Apple OC]

I wonder what Apple wants from him (as in, are they really going to ask him to help lock down the OS?)

I doubt he will be working retail

 

[DrJohnnyN]

I doubt he will be working retail

I literally laughed out loud.

 

[kalsta]

Why doesn't Hollywood do this? Hire some real hackers to help write some semi-believable dialog for the actors trying to portray them.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Why doesn't Hollywood do this? Hire some real hackers to help write some semi-believable dialog for the actors trying to portray them.

Because it's boring to most not glamourous.

 

[frjonah]

Same thing governments do. Hire the hackers trying to get into their systems. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

...or, as the case may be, close many, many loopholes with one stoner

 

[cshearer]

I'm glad to hear this. After reading the aforementioned Forbes article back whenever, I was hoping this would happen. Smart move.

 

[jpg]

If you want to get hired by Apple try to hack them.

 

[MacSince1990]

If you can't beat 'em, hire 'em.

Wonder how different this story would be if the courts hadn't ruled jailbreaking as legal.

"Apple has hired a new intern after dropping charges against him..."

Bah, now Imma have to learn how to program so I can jailbreak the iPhone 5 ='/

 

[Romanesq]

Ugh~~~

Oh man, I'm ill in. Comex has been awesome and jail breaking an Ipad with his solution was sick good.

Congrats to Nicholas but man we just lost a legend. Guy is Da Absolute Bomb.

 

[likemyorbs]

Well, there goes iOS 5 jailbreak...
I hope jailbreaking doesn't stop.

 

[macaframalama]

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Nicholas Allegra or is it Harry Potter?