iPhone supports some basic security mechanisms, including SSL; mail authentication methods and VPN’s, as well as WPA and WPA2 for WiFi access.

iPhone has a passcode lock feature. When enabled, you must enter a four-digit code every time you wake iPhone from standby. It also prevents transferring photos to your PC or Mac; you must disable the passcode lock to transfer photos.

We don’t know how robust the passcode lock is, though, and it is generally not good practice to store very sensitive information on mobile phones, PDA’s or laptops without encryption. We recommend not storing anything sensitive on your iPhone for now, passcode or not.

Another open question is whether iPhone can be reset by iTunes to bypass the passcode lock, yet remain activated for service by AT&T. If so, this would enable anyone to crack an iPhone and use it as a phone and Internet device, though perhaps without retrieving your personal information.

iPhone supports L2TP and PPTP VPN’s (virtual private networks), but we didn’t have a VPN set up for testing, so we don’t know how well this works.

Personally, I am not doing the whole wait in line thing this year. Instead I am going to make an attempt at a leisurely entrance sometime in the early morning hours. That said, I am not all that worried if I miss out today, I want the 3G S, but can also wait a few weeks if I had to.

Anyway, for those heading out this morning, you should hopefully already be at the destination of your choice because the doors at both Apple and AT&T were opening up at 7am this morning.

As for AT&T, the 7am opening time is just for those that pre-ordered the iPhone 3G S. For those that did not place a pre-order (like myself) and are hoping to still grab an iPhone today (like myself), then your time is 8am.

As for Apple, you may want to check your individual store on Apple.com, however it looks like most stores (and I am using the word most a little lightly) are set to open at 7am.

Additionally, AT&T has offered up a nice complete guide, which you can find over on ATT.com

In a curiously worded statement, AT&T has claimed it prevented the iPhone version of SlingPlayer from using 3G because it would chew too much data — and because the iPhone is, oddly, not considered a phone

The short message justifies the decision to allow Sling Media’s remote streaming only without 3G use by first noting that a Slingbox consumes a large amount of bandwidth on AT&T’s cellular towers and could “prevent other customers from using the network.”

However, it’s here that the wireless provider’s argument takes an unusual turn. As mentioned by Engadget, AT&T specifically cites its terms of service — which have flip-flopped over the past several weeks — as preventing users from re-routing a TV signal through the 3G connection to a personal computer. But rather than add smartphones to the clause, the

company tries to fit the iPhone into this category by claiming that it’s too powerful to be a regular smartphone.

“Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service,” AT&T claims. “We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs.”

Instead, the carrier says, iPhone owners should be content to stream Slingbox video when away from home through the free Wi-Fi access they have at certain public locations, such as Starbucks coffee shops. Web video streams are also allowed.

This explains the lack of 3G with the iPhone version of SlingPlayer, but it sounds like AT&T just being afraid of their bandwidth being chewed up, and causing more issues with their service.

In what would appear to be an effort to clear away some remaining iPhone inventory, Apple is now taking online orders at the Apple Store with direct shipping to your home. This of course sounds a little strange, considering you could already order an iPhone 3G online and have it shipped from AT&T. But hey, better late then never.

Anyway, I guess this will come as good news to someone. Possibly that home dwelling creature that rarely leaves home and prefers to make a purchase from Apple as opposed to AT&T. Oh wait, that sounds a little like myself.

As far as making the purchase, anyone (in the US) is eligible whether you are a new or current AT&T customer. To make your purchase, you just have to enter your billing information, review your eligibility and pricing then choose your calling plan. Of course, you will have to then sit back and wait for the delivery driver to show up with your iPhone, but hey its all about convenience.