Spyware protection will appear on iPhone

iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura operating systems will feature a new advanced security technology in the form of digital locking. The custom mode was announced by Apple on July 6 and is designed to over-protect users from “very sophisticated and rare” targeted cyberattacks across the entire software architecture. The novelty will allow you to safely use messages, browser and applications, but in this case the iPhone, iPad and Mac will not work as usual.

When digital lockdown is enabled, the operating system automatically blocks the usual functionality – either severely limited or completely disabled to minimize the possibility of spying and the threat of remote hacking. Total blocking will apply to individual functions and services of iOS, iPadOS and macOS, as well as wired connection with other devices or accessories.

The technology includes the following protections:

• Messages and iMessage – most attachment types except images are blocked and some features like link preview become unavailable;
• FaceTime – calls and connection invitations from unknown users who have not been called before are blocked;
• Safari and third-party WebKit-based browsers – Some web technologies and browsing features, including JavaScript (JIT) compilation, are disabled unless the user whitelists a trusted site;
• Program “Photos” – after activating the lock mode, shared albums will be deleted and invitations to new shared albums will be blocked;
• Wired connections to other devices or accessories are blocked when iPhone, iPad, or Mac is in lock mode;
• Apple services — invites from non-contact users to public notes, calendar, iWork documents, reminder list, and Safari tab groups are blocked;
• When lockdown mode is enabled, configuration profiles cannot be loaded and the device cannot be registered as an administrator in an enterprise environment (MDM).

According to Apple, the digital quarantine regime targets journalists, activists, and government officials — often those most susceptible to various cyberattacks from private companies that develop spyware (for example, the notorious NSO Group, creator of Pegasus). Last year, the tech giant, which continues to ramp up its privacy efforts, began notifying users who may have been targeted by government-backed hackers via email and iMessage notifications.

In the future, the digital lock mode will be supplemented with other protections. Apple itself calls the technology revolutionary and can repel any attack.