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Apple has a longstanding reputation for prioritizing security. Among others, Apple’s closed app system and refusal to release iPhone data to authorities are testament to their commitment. Now, Apple is tightening the ranks even further with a new privacy feature called “Lockdown Mode”.
This heavy-duty feature is aimed at activists, journalists, and other people who may be targets of state-sponsored spyware, but anyone can use it. Essentially, Apple’s Lockdown Mode secures a phone against popular methods used for highly sophisticated attacks.
Apple’s goal is to ward off specialized attacks by disabling and limiting various features that are popular in highly targeted attacks. The company is rolling out this new feature for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura.
Lockdown Mode Battens Down the Hatches
Apple refers to Lockdown Mode as “an extreme, optional protection”, and given how hard it locks down the iPhone — extreme is a good description. Here are all of the changes Lockdown Mode implements if you enable it:-
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- Blocks most message attachments, excluding images.
- Disables some messaging features, like link previews.
- Disables various complex web technologies, including JavaScript compilation and just-in-time (JIT), except on websites you exclude.
- Blocks incoming invitations and service requests like FaceTime unless you’ve previously called that number or sent that person a request.
- Prevents data transfer on wired computer connections if the iPhone is locked.
- Prevents the device from enrolling into mobile device management (MDM) and from installing new configuration profiles.
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