Apple iPhone Lockdown Mode is meant to stop state-sponsored hacking

Apple On Wednesday, we will announce a new iPhone feature called Lockdown Mode that protects prominent users such as politicians and activists from state-sponsored hackers.

Lockdown mode turns off some features of the iPhone to reduce its vulnerability to spyware by significantly reducing the number of features that an attacker could access and hack.

Specifically, it disables many of iMessage’s preview features, restricts JavaScript in the Safari browser, prevents new configuration profiles from being installed, blocks wired connections, prevents data from being copied on the device, and receives incoming Apple. Shut down the service request. Including FaceTime..

The tech giant will pay up to $ 2 million to researchers who find security flaws in lockdown mode.

The announcement came months after it became clear that state-sponsored hackers had the ability to hack recent models of iPhones with “zero-click” attacks delivered via text messages. I will. These attacks can be successful without the victim clicking the link.

iPhone makers are facing more and more calls from the government to address this issue. March, U.S. lawmaker Pressed apple Details of the attack (whether it can be detected, how many were detected, when and where it occurred, etc.).

Most hackers have financial motivations, and most malware is designed to allow users to give up valuable information such as passwords or allow attackers access to financial accounts. ..

However, the attack sponsored by the country targeted by Lockdown Mode is different. Step into the iPhone operating system with undiscovered bugs using very expensive tools sold directly to law enforcement and government. From there, an attacker can control the microphone or camera, or steal a user’s browsing or communication history.

Lockdown mode is targeted at a small number of people who are targeted by country-sponsored hackers and think they need extreme security. Victims targeted by military spyware include journalists, human rights activists, and business executives. To the Washington Post.. Spyware is also allegedly used to target civil servants such as: French minister When Spanish Catalan Separatist Leader..

In a statement, Apple’s Head of Security Engineering and Architecture, Ivan Krstić, said, “The majority of users are never the victims of targeted cyberattacks, but they are tireless to protect a small number of users. I will make an effort. “

There are several types of mercenary spyware, but the most well-known version is Pegasus, developed by NSO Group in Israel.Recently, a researcher At the University of Toronto When Amnesty International We have discovered and documented a version of this type of spyware that targets the iPhone.

NSO Group Said before The technique is being legally used by the government to combat pedophiles and terrorists.

NSO Group is hated by the big tech companies that sell devices that are safer than their competitors, especially Apple. Apple maliciously attacked NSO Group last year Damaged Apple’s business.. Facebook parents Meta It also appeals to NSO Group for the following initiatives: Hack whatsapp..

Last November, US Department of Commerce Blacklisted NSO GroupPreventing US companies from working with it is one of the most powerful steps the US government can take to attack foreign companies.

According to Apple, the majority of the billion iPhone users will never be targeted. Mercenary spyware like Pegasus can cost hundreds of millions of dollars, so the tool is valuable and is only used to target a small number of users. When new versions of spyware are discovered, Apple will patch the bugs they use, disable the original exploit, and force vendors such as NSO Group to reconfigure the behavior of the tool.

Lockdown mode isn’t turned on by default, but you can turn it on with a single tap from within your iPhone’s settings, Apple said. It will also be available on iPad and Mac.

This new feature will be available for testing in beta iOS this week before the wide release scheduled for fall.