Apple announces Lockdown Mode to combat government spyware attacks.

 Apple announces Lockdown Mode to combat government spyware attacks.

spyware

Apple said on Wednesday it would introduce a new "Shutdown Mode" on its upcoming iPhone and Mac software that would turn off certain features aimed at helping people target anti-government spyware. The technology giant said the new feature was a "special protection" for device owners who may have been targeted by nations using powerful spy, such as journalists, activists and human rights defenders. The feature lasts after years of repeated attacks and successes targeting thousands of iPhone users around the world. Spyware makers such as NSO Group, Candiru and Cytrox create device security features to install spyware on behalf of their government clients. Apple has often been quick to release security updates to its devices, but broader attempts to strengthen the iPhone security exploitation against these types of exploits have not always been successful. Security researchers say that it is not uncommon for a state-level spy to read text messages, phone logs, download photos, record device and phone calls, take pictures using the phone's camera, access the victim's passwords and track phone location in real time. Screenshot of what Lockdown Mode will look like on iOS 16. Photo Credits: Apple (provided) In uninstalling “Lock Mode,” those under targeted hacking efforts can quickly disable many features, such as limiting which code can work on applications and websites and significantly limit other Apple software, such as iMessage and FaceTime. , which have been harassed by spyware makers to create exploits that can instill spyware on iPhones. Lockdown Mode will also prevent iPhones and Macs from installing configuration profiles, commonly used by organizations to remove settings and protect security across all devices but also being compromised by consumer-level spyware to monitor and secretly remove content from victim devices. Wired connection is also blocked when Lock mode is on, which prevents forensic Hardware tools from downloading device data. In a post, Apple said the new lock feature "strengthens device defenses and tightens restrictions on certain operations, greatly reducing the potential for attack by potentially targeted spyware." Apple said the feature will come to iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, scheduled to be released later this year along with Apple's new iPhones.