Apple Inc. unveiled a security tool for iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices aimed at preventing targeted cyberthreats on high-profile users such as activists, journalists, and government officials.
The optional Lockdown Mode feature will provide "extreme" protection for a "very small amount of people who face grave, targeted attacks," Apple said in a statement on Wednesday. The tool drastically reduces the number of print and virtual ways an attacker can compromise a user's device. According to Apple, the feature is primarily intended to combat attacks from "spyware" sold by NSO Group and other companies, especially to state-sponsored organisations.
State-sponsored entities have managed to hack high-profile users in recent years by gaining remote access to data on their iPhones.
According to Bloomberg News, a number of US State Department employees were hacked and made aware by Apple last year. Apple sued NSO Group in November, alleging that the Israel-based company creates tools such as Pegasus spyware to misuse and harm Apple users.
According to Apple, such attacks have targeted a small number of its users in 150 countries. The iPhone maker recently implemented a feature that alerts users when they are the target of state-sponsored cyberattacks. According to Apple, the notification system will be updated to notify those individuals about the new Lockdown Mode.
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