Manzana Introduced device security tool iPhone, iPad i Mac designed to prevent cyber attacks against such high-profile users as activists, journalists and government officials. optional function, the so-called lock mode, Provides “extreme” protection for “a very small number of users from targeted attacks,” Apple said in a statement released Wednesday.

of this tool Significantly reduces the physical and digital paths an attacker can gain access to device user. Apple says this feature is mainly intended to combat attacks.spyware” sold by NSO Group and other companies, especially government-sponsored groups.

In recent years, government-sponsored organizations have hacked known users to gain remote access to iPhone data.

This was reported by Bloomberg News last year Several US State Department employees were hacked and Apple was notified. In November, Apple sued NSO Group, alleging that the Israel-based company developed tools such as sPegasus Spyware Abusing and harming Apple users.

The Cupertino-based company says A A small number of its users in 150 countries have been targeted by such attacks.

Lockdown Mode, Apple’s new cybersecurity feature

The iPhone maker recently released a feature that warns users about this They are the target of state-sponsored cyber attacks. That notification system will be updated to notify those people about the new lockout mode, Apple said. The block will act:

– Messages app.

– face time.

– Apple online services.

– Configuration profiles.

– Web browser Safari

– Wired connections.

Instead of the tool, the Messages app Blocks non-image attachments and disables link previews. These are two common mechanisms it uses Hackers Remote access to devices.

The web browsersAnother frequent channel for hackers, it will also be severely limited to certain fonts, web languages, and features related to PDF reading and content preview.

In FaceTime, users can’t receive calls from anyone they haven’t called in the last 30 days.

How to activate blocking mode

This new feature can be activated via a switch at the bottom of the menu. Privacy In the Settings app on Apple devices.

During installation, users will receive a warning that enabling the tool means that the device “will not function normally” and “Apps, websites and features will be strictly limited for your safety and some experiences will not be fully accessible”Based on feature screenshots shared by Apple.

When will this new feature be available?

Apple plans to launch Lockdown Mode As part of future OS updates iOS 16, iPad OS 16 i macOS Ventura in the coming months.

It will also be tested this week as part of the third developer beta. The company did not say when versions of the feature might come to Apple’s other operating systems, including Watch the OS for that Apple WatchBut said it plans to add new protection for the next Apple Watch device.

Other online services will also receive changes to lock mode, but Apple didn’t specify the exact difference. functions such as CarPlaywhich in some cases requires a cable connection, They will not work until the user enters their password. And new configuration profiles and device registration in the management software will also not work in this mode.

Apple also said it would pay the investigators Security award up to $2 million If they find a way to get past the lockdown mode and improve their defense.

The company also Gives a $10 million grant to the Dignity and Justice Fund, Founded and recommended by the Ford Foundation to help investigate and prevent highly targeted cyber attacks.

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