A security flaw in iOS was recently discovered that allowed users to jailbreak their devices without having to install any software or rely on another computer. In fact, the jailbreak, found at jailbreakme.com could do so directly from the web. Apple has finally responded with a patch.
The exploit worked by exploiting two vulnerabilities present in how iOS handled PDF files. It was so easy that display model iPhones and iPads could even be jailbroken in the store--that is, until Apple blocked the website.
Apple promised a solution, and it has come in the form of iOS 4.0.2 for the iPhone and iPod Touch and 3.2.2 for the iPad. While you might think it cool to not update your firmware, thus allowing you the potential to pull off this jailbreak at your leisure, keep in mind that others with malicious intent could use the exploit for far more nefarious purposes. That being the case, it would be wise to update now.
The new firmwares are available at this very moment, so plug in those devices and load iTunes if you want to fix the problem and be safe from evildoers.
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Based on a rather spotty history of PDFs and exploits on multiple different platforms, I'd never quite consider them safe. :P
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