Apple's new iOS 18.1 includes a security feature that reboots iPhones after four days of inactivity, entering a 'Before First Unlock' state that requires a passcode to access the device. This makes it more difficult for law enforcement to unlock iPhones, as it limits data extraction capabilities. The move is part of Apple's ongoing efforts to enhance device security, despite tensions with authorities over encryption and potential backdoor access.
Apple's iOS 17 update introduces a new feature allowing users to reset their iPhone passcode if they've changed it within the last 72 hours and remember their previous passcode. This can be done by entering the old passcode after an "iPhone Unavailable" message appears from entering the incorrect passcode five times. The feature is a relief for users who forget their new passcode but becomes ineffective after the 72-hour window, after which the only option is to reset the iPhone entirely. Additionally, an upcoming feature will prevent thieves from performing sensitive actions even if they have the iPhone and its passcode.
To protect your credit card information, iPhone users are advised to disable the "Reply with Message" feature from the lock screen, which can be accessed without unlocking the phone. This precaution is particularly important for those who use iPhone cases that double as wallets. The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to turn off this feature, as well as other lock screen features like Siri, Wallet app, and Home app access, to enhance security and privacy in case the iPhone is lost or stolen.
Apple is set to enhance iPhone security with the upcoming iOS 17.3 update, which includes a new feature called Stolen Device Protection. This feature, however, needs to be manually enabled and aims to prevent thieves from changing your Apple ID password, disabling Find My, or adding a new face to Face ID. The update comes in response to widespread iPhone thefts, as highlighted by The Wall Street Journal's interview with convicted thief Aaron Johnson. Users are advised to never hand over an unlocked phone, use strong passcodes or fingerprints over Face ID, and lock sensitive apps individually. Awareness of one's surroundings and cautious handling of devices in public are essential until the new security measures are in place.
Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature, introduced in iOS 14.5, allows users to opt-out of app tracking, preventing apps from accessing the device's advertising identifier (IDFA) and other identifiers for targeted ads. This has had a significant financial impact on social media platforms, costing them billions in ad revenue. Users can disable tracking for new apps upon download or adjust settings for existing apps. Despite this, denying IDFA access doesn't stop all forms of tracking, so users should remain cautious. The feature underscores Apple's commitment to privacy, which it considers a fundamental human right.
Kaspersky has uncovered details about "Triangulation," a highly sophisticated iOS spyware that exploited previously unknown Apple hardware features and zero-day vulnerabilities. The malware, which affected iPhones on iOS 15.7 and earlier, could activate without user interaction and access the device's physical memory, leaking sensitive data like microphone recordings and location. Although the latest Apple firmware patches these vulnerabilities, the origin and knowledge of the exploits used by the spyware remain a mystery, with some speculating on possible internal sources or reverse engineering by hackers. Apple has updated its devices to fix the security flaws, but the implications of the spyware's capabilities continue to raise concerns.
