Apple announces new lockdown mode in iOS 16 with ‘extreme’ security level. Apple today announced a new lockdown mode for iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura. Apple says the additional security feature is designed to protect a “very limited number” of users who may be at risk of “highly targeted cyberattacks” from private companies developing government spyware, such as journalists, activists and government employees.
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Apple says lockdown mode is enabled in the third beta of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura released today. The feature will be available later this year to all users, with the final release of updates. Although this feature is intended for users who are the targets of cyberattacks, it can be enabled by any user.
Lock Mode is disabled by default and can be enabled in the Privacy & Security section of the Settings app or System Preferences. Once enabled, lock mode can be disabled at any time in the same section of the Settings app. Enabling or disabling the lock mode requires you to reboot your device and enter your device password.
When Lockdown Mode is active, it provides an “extreme” level of security by severely limiting or disabling the functionality of features, apps, and websites. When launched, lockdown mode will include the following protections:
- In the Messages app, most types of message attachments other than images are blocked, and some features, such as link previews, are not available.
- Incoming FaceTime calls from people you haven’t called before are blocked. Incoming invitations to other Apple services from people you haven’t previously invited are also blocked.
- Some sophisticated web technologies and browsing features, including just-in-time (JIT) compilation of JavaScript, are disabled unless the user removes the trusted site from blocking mode. This protection applies to Safari and all other web browsers that use WebKit on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- Shared albums will be removed from the Photos app, and invitations to new shared albums will be blocked.
- When the device is locked, wired connections to other devices/accessories are blocked.
- Configuration profiles cannot be installed and the device cannot enroll in mobile device management (MDM) while lockdown mode is enabled.
Apple has said it will add more protections to Lockdown Mode over time. Apple has added a new category to its Security Bounty program to reward researchers who find a bypass of the lockdown mode and help improve its protection, with rewards to be doubled for qualifying results in the lockdown mode, up to a maximum of $2 million.
“Lockdown Mode is a revolutionary feature that reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting users from even the rarest and most sophisticated attacks,” Ivan Krstic, Apple’s head of security, said in a press release today. “While the vast majority of users will never be the victims of targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect a small number of users.”
Apple also announced that it is providing a $10 million grant to the Ford Foundation to support organizations that investigate, expose, and prevent targeted cyberattacks. Apple said it would also donate any damages awarded as a result of its lawsuit filed against NSO Group, maker of the Pegasus spyware.
Last year, Apple began notifying users who may have been targeted by state-sponsored attackers with email and iMessage notifications.
