The iPhone already includes quite a bit of theft protection. In addition to the fact that a lost device can be geolocated even when it is not connected to the internet, it cannot be used or resold by a person who does not have the unlock code. However, as a Wall Street Journal article explains, some people have their iPhones stolen by people who already know their passcodes.
How is this possible? For example, the thief may first spy on his target in a public place, to learn the code, before taking action. And this would even be quite common. In any case, Apple has decided to act, by offering a new feature that blocks certain sensitive features of the iPhone, even when the thief knows the access code.
Unfortunately, this feature is not yet available inversion stable. It will be deployed later, via theiOS 17.3 updateof the operating system. But in the meantime, Apple is already testing this new security feature on the new iOS beta for developers.
Some functions require biometric identification
Called Stolen Device Protection, this new feature in iOS 17.3 can be activated so that the iPhone requires biometric identification, via FaceID or TouchID, to perform certain actions. According to an article from Macrumors, biometric identification is required to use the password manager integrated into the iPhone, to deactivate Lost mode, to use a payment method on Safari, or to register a new device.
For other, even more sensitive actions, Stolen Device Protection mode goes further. Indeed, in addition to requiring biometric identification, it will also impose a security delay of one hour. This concerns changing Apple ID, updating Apple account security settings, changing passcode, configuring FaceID or TouchID, deactivating Find My, or deactivating Stolen Device mode Protection.
In other words, if the thief has the passcode of the owner of the iPhone, he will have access to apps and content, but he will not be able to replace the Apple ID, for example, nor deactivate the location of the iPhone. the device. Obviously, while this system will deter theft a little more and protect users, it is not infallible.
In fact, the thief, when he has the code, can still enter applications that are not protected by a password when opening. And it can even reset passwords, if verification is done via SMS or email.
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By : Keleops AG
