This iPhone feature blocks advanced hacker attacks: How to enable it
New Apple feature helps protect iPhone from hackers (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Apple has announced the unprecedented reliability of its Lockdown Mode feature. Since its launch nearly four years ago, no successful iPhone hacks have been recorded. The effectiveness of the technology has also been confirmed by analysts from Google and Amnesty International, according to BGR.
Why hackers are powerless
Lockdown Mode was developed in response to spyware such as Pegasus. The feature blocks major attack vectors used in so-called “zero-click” exploits — infections that occur without any user interaction. According to Google, modern spyware often simply stops an attack if it detects that this mode is enabled on a device.
How the maximum protection mode works
Any user can activate the feature for free in iPhone settings, but it significantly changes how the device operates:
- Messages: most attachments and link previews are blocked.
- Web browsing: the browser restricts complex technologies and fonts, which may cause some websites to display incorrectly.
- Calls: FaceTime calls from unknown contacts are automatically blocked.
- Connectivity: the device ignores unsecured Wi-Fi networks and blocks 2G and 3G connections.
- Accessories: to connect to a computer or other devices, the iPhone must be unlocked.
Who Lockdown Mode is useful for
Apple designed this tool for users who may be targeted by advanced cyberattacks, including politicians, journalists, activists, and high-ranking officials. While the restrictions may seem extreme for the average user, they are justified in cases involving risks of state-sponsored surveillance or sensitive data theft.
The feature can be enabled in Settings Privacy & Security Lockdown Mode. After activation, the device requires a restart.
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