Last Updated on July 6, 2022 by srinivas
Apple has always taken security and privacy very seriously, and the company is ramping up the stakes dramatically with the announcement of a new feature called Lockdown Mode. Coming this fall in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, Apple says the feature is “the first major capability of its kind” and provides “extreme, optional protection for the very small number of users facing serious, targeted threats to their business.” digital security.”
Lockdown Mode is intended as a last resort for users who believe they are the individual target of rental spy spyware. That is, spyware created by professional companies on behalf of state sponsored entities to target specific people or groups. Apple explains it like this:
Lockdown Mode provides an extreme, optional level of security for the very few users who, because of who they are or what they do, could be personally targeted by some of the most advanced digital threats, such as those the NSO Group and other private companies are developing. of state-sponsored spyware for mercenaries. Enabling Lockdown Mode in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura further strengthens the device’s security and strictly limits certain functionalities, greatly reducing the attack surface that can potentially be exploited by highly targeted rental spy spyware .
Apple
When a user enters Lockdown Mode, they sacrifice some important functionality to prevent advanced spyware from running. These are the protections it will offer when it launches this fall as part of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, though Apple says it will strengthen and add new protections to Lockdown Mode over time.
- Messages: Most message attachment types other than images are blocked. Some features, such as link previews, are disabled.
- Surf: Certain complex web technologies, such as just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation, are disabled unless the user excludes a trusted site from Lockdown mode.
- Apple services: Incoming invitations and service requests, including FaceTime calls, will be blocked if the user has not previously sent the initiator a call or request.
- Wired connections with a computer or accessory are blocked when iPhone is locked.
- Configuration Profiles cannot be installed and the device cannot enroll in mobile device management (MDM) while the lock mode is enabled.
New Security Premiums and a $10 Million+ Grant
In addition to the new Lockdown Mode feature for end users, Apple will want to improve its security with its huge mountain of money by issuing new rewards and grants.
The company’s Security Bounty program gains a new category to reward researchers who find bugs or redirects to Lockdown Mode and help strengthen its security. That bounty can bring in up to $2 million, which Apple says is the highest payout in the industry.
Apple is also making a $10 million grant to the Dignity and Justice Fund (established by the Ford Foundation) to “support organizations that investigate, expose, and prevent highly targeted cyberattacks, including those created by private companies.” who develop state-sponsored spyware for mercenaries.” † In addition, Apple pledges to the fund all damages awarded by its lawsuit against NSO Group over the Pegasus spyware. The fund expects to make its first grants in late 2022 or early 2023 to organizations that expose mercenary spyware and help protect victims.