Elain Brown Tech 07.07.2022 03:Jul AM EDT

Apple Announces Lockdown Mode to Protect High-Profile Users Against Cyberattacks—When is the Rollout?

Apple announces Lockdown Mode to prevent cyberattacks.

Apple is strengthening its efforts to help and secure its user-base who are vulnerable to cyberattacks.

The Lockdown Mode is a new security feature that Apple has announced will roll out in iOS 16, macOS Ventura, and iPadOS 16.

The purpose of this feature is to protect high-risk individuals such as human rights defenders, journalists, and dissidents from targeted spyware attacks.

Apple's newest feature will provide users with an increased layer of protection for web browsing, messaging, and connectivity to prevent government sponsored hackers from monitoring or infiltrating their devices.

Apple's Lockdown Mode

Apple released its feature Lockdown Mode to address a group of its customer base that is constantly exposed to cyber threats.

Along with that, the company also announced its commitment towards privacy and security against cybercrimes, including the deployment of different types of malware and targeted hacking.

Apple has always regarded its products and services to be safe, secure, and private,

According to Apple's Head of Security Engineering and Architecture, Ivan Krstić, "Lockdown Mode is a groundbreaking capability that reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting users from even the rarest, most sophisticated attacks."

This feature may not be intended for everyone since only a specific number of people are subjected to cyberattacks.

However, Apple is committed to doing everything to safeguard the few people who do find themselves in that position.

Krstić added, "That includes continuing to design defenses specifically for these users, as well as supporting researchers and organizations around the world doing critically important work in exposing mercenary companies that create these digital attacks."

Lockdown Mode Features

As listed by BleepingComputer, here are the following features on how the Lockdown Mode will protect a user's device.

For messaging, any type of attachments other than photos will automatically be blocked and it will also disable the link preview feature.
For web browning, this mode will disable just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation and the likes, not unless the user will exclude the site.
For Apple services, incoming services and invitations such as FaceTime calls will be immediately blocked not unless the user initiated the request.
For connectivity, this mode will automatically block any wired connection to a computer or accessory once an iPhone device is locked.
For configuration, when Lockdown Mode is on, configuration profiles cannot be installed, and the user cannot enroll the device in mobile device management (MDM).

Apple's Security Initiatives

Apple is committed to continuously strengthen and improve the Lockdown Mode feature. With that, the company establishes the Apple Security Bounty program.

This bounty program will reward anyone who can bypass and find ways to help improve the security of the feature.

The tech company will donate a $10 million grant to this bounty program. The grant will be given to the Dignity and Justice Fund, which was created and is recommended by the Ford Foundation.

The Ford Foundation is a private foundation devoted to progressing equity all over the world.

The fund's purpose is to pool philanthropic resources in order to advance social justice all over the world.

The Dignity and Justice Fund anticipates making its first grants either before the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023.

The Fund will focus on efforts to educate more about cybersecurity and combat cyberattacks. It includes harnessing collaborative efforts from different security institutions, to identify, educate, and address spyware attacks.