How To: Patch the SSL Bug Without Updating Your Jailbroken iPad or iPhone to iOS 7.0.6

Last week, Apple issued an iOS 7.0.6 update that fixed a serious security vulnerability that could allow hackers to steal passwords, read emails, and get info from other SSL-encrypted communications.

Why You Should Update Your Device

SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, along with TLS (Transport Layer Security), establishes an encrypted link between a web server and your device to ensure a certified connection. The bug that Apple patched made it possible for hackers with a "privileged network position" to capture and alter any protected traffic.

Without the update, your iPad, iPhone, and/or iPod touch is susceptible to a man-in-the-middle attack, where a malicious program acts like a trusted program, fakes a certificate, and tries to steal information from your device. It's not just browsers that are affected, either. Any app, like a banking app, that uses SSL is vulnerable.

How to Update WITHOUT Losing Jailbreak

This was actually a bug that affected all Apple products, and has since been patched. However, if you're jailbroken like me, you've probably risked having your data hacked because you're too lazy to jailbreak again.

In the past, you'd have to backup your device, install the Apple update (which removes jailbreak), jailbreak your device again, and restore from a backup. Needless to say, that's a big pain in the ass. Even bigger if you forgot to backup all of your customizations.

Thankfully, iOS hacker/engineer Ryan Petrich feels our pain. He released his SSLPatch tweak, which lets you simply install the patch from Cydia without having to backup and re-jailbreak. This does not update you to iOS 7.0.6, but only fixes the security issues.

Step 1: Install SSLPatch from Cydia

Search for SSLPatch in Cydia—there should only be one option. Install the patch by tapping "Install" on the top right of your screen.

Step 2: Reboot Your iOS 7 Device

Once installed, reboot your device in order for the patch to take effect.

When your device starts up again, the patch will have been applied and you won't have to worry about any data-stealing hackers for the time being.

It's that simple, and way more convenient than having to rejailbreak and restore to a backup. This patch will keep all of your tweaks and mods in place, at least until you're ready to update to iOS 7.0.6 (or just wait for the upcoming 7.1).