Apple implemented a new security mechanism in iOS 18 to protect unauthorized access to your iPhone using specialized software, here’s how it works
According to an article published by 404 Media and replicated by TechCrunch, Apple has implemented a new security feature that causes the iPhone to restart if it is not unlocked for a period of 72 hours. It is a new mechanism to protect user data from possible data extraction using specialized software. Agents and forensic experts on the subject noticed this eventiPhones that restart by themselves without knowing why. It was a matter of time to realize that Apple had made changes.
iOS 18 implemented an extra security feature to protect iPhones that remain on and locked
Jiska classesa researcher at the Hasso Plattner Institute, was one of the first security experts to detected this behavior on Apple iPhones. He published a video on X showing the new feature of iOS 18. After 72 hours, the iPhone turns off and then you can see a very long code execution. It then recovers the image of the apple when it is turning on and begins to have normal behavior.
See the latest iOS inactivity reboot in action!
iOS 18 comes with improved anti-theft measures. Three days w/o unlock, the iPhone will reboot, preventing thieves from getting your data. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/H24Tfo1cSr
— Jiska (@naehrdine) November 13, 2024
Another company that is dedicated to offering digital forensic services, Magnet Forensics confirmed what the researcher published on video. What this “idle reset” causes is that the iPhone becomes an “almost” more secure device by having the user’s encryption keys locked inside the iPhone’s enclave chip.
This guarantees that over timeit doesn’t matter if a thief has a turned-on iPhone in his possession (without iCloud lock), they will not be able to unlock it with tools that are considered “cheap” and obsolete”. If we go by what the authorities can do with specialized software, restarting the iPhone can make the process more difficult but will not prevent it from being blocked completely.
The moment in which the user unlocks their iPhone is vital in terms of security
TechCrunch indicates that iPhones have two security states that function as protection mechanisms. They can complicate the unlocking process if a mechanism is used to force the user’s password or cause security flaws in the iPhone. The states in question are before first unlock and after first unlock.
In the first, iPhone data “is completely encrypted”accessing them is almost impossible unless the user’s password can be known. In the second, some data is found without encryption and that is when forensic tools and specialized software can act effectively.
iPhone menu when turning off
This is why Apple has implemented security reset in iOS 18 to prevent anyone from trying to access the iPhone data after 3 days. News like this reminds us of when Apple was asked to unlock an iPhone owned by the San Bernardino shooter. The FBI had to turn to an Australian company to access the iPhone. In another case of attack, Apple declared itself in favor of contributing to law enforcement as long as it was in its hands.
404 Media also stated at the time that no cybersecurity company could unlock an iPhone with iOS 17.4. Will it be even worse with iOS 18?
You can follow iPadized in Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter (X) consult or consult our Telegram channel to stay up to date with the latest technology news.
Source: ipadizate.com
