Last fall, Apple sued Pegasus spyware creator NSO Group and announced it would donate over $10 million to organizations doing cyber surveillance research and advocacy. Now taking the next step in the fight against advanced spyware, Apple has announced a brand new ultra-security feature called iPhone lockdown mode, which is also coming to iPad and Mac to help protect against targeted cyberattacks.
New iOS 16 feature: iPhone lock mode
Apple says the optional iPhone lock mode is the first of its kind and will provide advanced security. It is designed for a very small segment of users who are specifically targeted by highly sophisticated threats such as the nation-state-backed mercenary spyware, such as the Pegasus attack.
When unlocked on iPhone, iPad and Mac, device functionality is limited to greatly reduce the attack surface of potential vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses. Apple explained the security measures taken in the lock mode that will be opened to all users when the final version of iOS 16 is released this fall:
- Messages: Most types of message attachments except photos are blocked. Link previews are disabled.
- Web browsing: Certain sophisticated web technologies such as JIT Javascript compilation are disabled unless the user unlocks a trusted site from lock mode.
- Apple services: Incoming invitations and service requests, including FaceTime calls, are blocked if the user hasn’t made a call or request to someone before.
- FaceTime: FaceTime calls from people you haven’t called before are blocked.
- Shared albums: Shared albums are removed from the Photos app and new shared album invitations are blocked.
- Wired connections to computers or accessories are blocked when iPhone is locked.
- Configuration profiles cannot be loaded and the device cannot be registered in mobile device management when lock mode is on.
How to unlock iPhone lock mode?
- On an iPhone with iOS 16, open Settings, and on a Mac with macOS Ventura, open System Preferences.
- Select Privacy and Security.
- Tap on lock mode at the bottom.
- You can get detailed information about the lock mode or turn on the lock mode.
- Restart the device.
Big prize for those who pass the iPhone lock mode!
Apple seeks collaboration and feedback from researchers and others in the security community. For this, the company has created a new category in the Apple Security Rewards Program to reward those who manage to circumvent the lock mode and help strengthen the feature. In particular, the reward will be doubled (up to $2 million) for qualifying unlock mode discoveries. Apple says this is the highest maximum reward payout in the industry.
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