Apple’s Lockdown Mode for IOS 16 Will Be Used to Block Government Spyware Attacks

After years and numerous successful attacks against thousands of iPhone users all over the globe, this feature finally arrives. Cytrox, Candiru, and NSO Group are spyware manufacturers that exploit devices’ security to install spyware for their government clients. Apple tends to be quick to release security updates to its iPhones, but larger efforts to strengthen its iPhone security exploits against such exploits have not always been.

Lockdown Mode prevents iPhones and Macs from installing configuration profiles.

Researchers say that it is not unusual for government-grade spyware, according to security researchers, to read calls logs, view messages, download photos, record phone calls, and microphones, take photos with the phone’s camera, gain access to the victim’s passwords, and track the location of the phone in real-time.

Targeted hacking attempts are prevented by the introduction of “Lockdown Mode”. This allows those who are vulnerable to attacks to disable a variety of features. It also limits what code can be run on apps and websites. It also greatly restricts other areas of Apple software like iMessage and FaceTime. These have been used by spyware makers to create exploits that allow them to install spyware on iPhones.

These profiles are used by organizations to rollout security settings across fleets of devices. However, they can also be abused by consumer-grade spyware to secretly download and monitor the contents of victim’s devices. Lockdown Mode also blocks wired connections, which prevents hardware-forensic tools from downloading data from devices.

Apple stated that the new lockdown feature “further strengthens device defenses” and “strictly limits certain functions, sharply reducing attack surface that could potentially be exploited to high-targeted mercenary spyware.”

Apple announced that the feature will be available in iOS 16, iPadOS 16 & macOS Ventura. These are due to release later in this year along with Apple’s new iPhones.