Apple’s new feature adds ‘extreme’ protection to your devices

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Lockdown Mode is a new setting in iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura that is meant to increase security for journalists, activists, and politicians. This setting makes it harder for devices to be compromised for high-profile attacks.

Lockdown Mode blocks many message attachment types, blocks link previews, turns off certain web browsing technology, and locks down wired connections to computers or accessories while the device is locked.

The areas that we know can be vulnerable are outlined by the Project Zero team in a recent report. Lockdown Mode closes the doors from the beginning when other attacks target MDM solutions or use malicious websites to exploit flaws.

Image: Apple

It is clear that Apple is responding to the growing use of state-sponsored mercenary software with an optional level of protection. There is evidence of the software on the device of a journalist. According to Mark Gurman, Apple just released a new version of its mobile operating system.

In the past, Apple was criticized for not working with security researchers to find and fix flaws in its platforms as much as other companies. The program was expanded to cover other devices in 2019.

Ivan Krsti, Apple's head of security engineering and architecture, said that the majority of users will never be the victims of highly targeted cyberattacks. Supporting researchers and organizations around the world doing critically important work in exposing mercenary companies that create these digital attacks is part of that.

Apple said its new Rapid Security Response feature will allow patches for security flaws that roll out faster and can take effect on a Mac without requiring a restart.

The Advanced Protection Program for its accounts is one of the ways that other tech companies have made similar efforts. Lockdown Mode is a new level of security that will be available to millions of people once it launches with the new software updates.

Even with these protections, finding vulnerabilities in the operating systems that control so many devices is a valuable endeavor, and Apple says it is doubling the bounty for "qualifying findings" in Lockdown Mode to $2 million. A $10 million grant will be added to by Apple to support organizations that investigate, expose, and prevent cyberattacks, including those created by private companies.