The Apple company has announced a new security feature named Lockdown mode. This feature will be available to all iPhones, iPads, and Mac devices later this year. This feature will help bring a significant change to iPhone security by making it harder for mercenary spyware firms like Pegasus-maker NSO labs to target and hack users of the iPhone. The functionalities of the smartphone potentially accessed by spy software will get limited, including blocking most message attachment types, FaceTime, and incoming invitations will get blocked. Some complex web technologies like JavaScript complications will get disabled. The wired connection of an iPhone with a computer will also get blocked, and it will continue to launch new protection features to strengthen the Lockdown mode in the future, said Apple.
Now, the question is, why is Apple launching these features?
In response to this question, Apple said, "Help protect users who may be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware.”
Over the last few years, many spyware firms got exposed for hacking into iPhone and Android devices, so the Apple company decided to launch such security features.
In July 2021, a media group revealed how spyware is getting used by several governments to snoop on opponents and journalists. Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor, Ashok Lavasa, Ashwini Vaishnav, and several others got targeted, as recorded by the Indian leg of the investigation. The list also included around 40 journalists.
With Lockdown mode, Apple announced a $10 million grant to support the organizations that investigate, expose, and prevent cyberattacks to any damages awarded from the lawsuit filed against NSO Group. The grant will start in late 2022 or early 2023. This grant will help to expose mercenary spyware and protect potential targets.
