Apple has announced initiatives aimed at users who are personally attacked by sophisticated cyber threats, including Lockdown Mode, a protection or isolation mode.
This is the first functionality of its category, which will be presented next fall and will be integrated into iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, according to Apple in a statement.
Isolation mode is defined as an optional use feature to protect the user who may be the victim of cyberattacks considered sophisticated, that is, those developed by private organizations with state support. This is the case of NSO Group, an Israeli company that has developed the Pegasus spy software.
Spyware or ‘spyware’ is ‘malware’ that collects information from a device and transmits it to an external entity without the user’s knowledge or consent.
Apple has explained that, by activating this mode, the device’s defenses are further strengthened and some of its functionality is limited to reduce the surface that can be a potential victim of spyware.
From the day of its launch, the ‘Isolation’ mode will include various protections. On the one hand, in the Messages ‘app’ most types of attachments that are not images will be blocked and several features will be disabled, such as the preview of web links.
On the other hand, when browsing the Internet, this new mode will not allow the operation of certain complex web technologies, such as the ‘just-in-time’ (JIT) compilation of JavaScript, unless the user manually excludes a specific site that is considered trustworthy to execute this technique.
Isolation mode protection will also be extended to Apple services and will block incoming invitations and requests for services such as FaceTime, to make video calls, if there is no prior request or call from the user to initiate this procedure.
Wired connections to a computer or accessory will also be affected by this mode, and will be blocked until the user disables it. Also, a device that has implemented this mode will not be able to install configuration profiles or access mobile device management (MDM).
Apple has promised that it will continue to strengthen this new mode and add new protections over time. In addition, the technology has established a new category of the Apple Security Bounty program, to reward those researchers who locate flaws in ‘Isolation’ and help improve the service. The rewards will go up to a maximum of 2 million dollars.
He is a cyber security and malware researcher. He studied Computer Science and started working as a cyber security analyst in 2006. He is actively working as an cyber security investigator. He also worked for different security companies. His everyday job includes researching about new cyber security incidents. Also he has deep level of knowledge in enterprise security implementation.