Apple Releases iOS 11.4.1, Blocks Passcode Cracking Tools Used By Police (theverge.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: Apple today released iOS 11.4.1, and while most of us are already looking ahead to all the new stuff coming in iOS 12, this small update contains an important new security feature: USB Restricted Mode. Apple has added protections against the USB devices being used by law enforcement and private companies that connect over Lightning to crack an iPhone's passcode and evade Apple's usual encryption safeguards.

If you go to Settings and check under Face ID (or Touch ID) & Passcode, you'll see a new toggle for USB Accessories. By default, the switch is off. This means that once your iPhone or iPad has been locked for over an hour straight, iOS will no longer allow USB accessories to connect to the device -- shutting out cracking tools like GrayKey as a result. If you've got accessories that you want to continue working after your iPhone has been sitting locked for awhile, you can toggle the option on to remove the hour limit. Apple's wording is a bit confusing. You should leave the toggle disabled if you want your iPhone to be most secure.

Comments

Serious question:

[CaptainDork]

Why is this story always about iPhone?

Are Android and other mobile OS not an encryption concern for LEO?

Thanks.

Re:Serious question:

[GrandCow]

Correct, Android phones are (basically) an open book. There is some encryption but nothing near the level of protection of an iPhone. Yes, your friend isn't going to pick up your phone off the table and get past your passcode, but if someone with resources wants in to an Android phone, they're getting in fairly easily.

Excellent

[gweihir]

Law enforcement of all colors has amply demonstrated that they do not understand device security and why it is important. Hence this is good news.

Incidentally, if you let the police decide what freedoms and protection against the state people have, you end up with a police-state. These people have entirely the wrong mindset. When you remember that the primary purpose of the police is protecting the rich and powerful and fighting (slave) upraisings, this becomes much more obvious. All that "to serve and protect" crap is basically propaganda.