A few days ago Apple introduced another feature that will be featured in future updates of their operating system for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It’s called Lockdown Mode.

The company claims that this revolutionary feature will provide its users with the best protection currently available on the market. The tech giant notes that even now they produce the most secure devices among competitors, however, this feature will be able to provide security for those who might be exposed to “targeted cyberattacks from private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware”. In addition, Apple is awarding a $10 million grant to support research aimed at identifying such threats.

As said by Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of Security Engineering and Architecture: “While the vast majority of users will never be the victims of highly targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect the small number of users who are. 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.” This means that the company is serious about its security and wants its devices to be a device for those who really care about their privacy.

What Lockdown Mode offers and when it will be available

Lockdown Mode essentially offers an “extreme” level of security for those users who are afraid of becoming victims of a cyber attack. It includes several features that should keep your device safe from hacks. Among them:

• Blockable message attachments. This means that almost all attachments will be blocked, except for the message attachments. It also blocks things like link previews.
• Disabling some web technologies. This applies to complex technologies, such as just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation. You can add the desired site to the list of trusted sites and thus avoid the blocking.
• Blocking wired connections. If your device is blocked, it cannot be wired to another device. To connect, you must first unlock the device.

This isn’t a complete list of restrictions that Lockdown Mode includes. According to Apple’s idea, it will be possible to turn it on directly from the control panel. The company also says that over time it will include other measures to protect your device.

Lockdown Mode will be available with the release of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura this fall. For now, users who have enabled beta testing of various features on their devices can try out the feature.

What else Apple has announced

The company also announced that it plans to provide a $10 million grant to support organizations that investigate, expose and prevent highly targeted cyberattacks. The grant will go to the Dignity and Justice Fund, which was established by the Ford Foundation. It is a private foundation dedicated to promoting equality around the world.

A Ford Foundation spokeswoman, Lori McGlinchey, director of the Technology and Society Program, said of the dangers of spying: “The global spyware trade targets human rights defenders, journalists, and dissidents; it facilitates violence, reinforces authoritarianism, and supports political repression. The Ford Foundation is proud to support this extraordinary initiative to bolster civil society research and advocacy to resist mercenary spyware. We must build on Apple’s commitment, and we invite companies and donors to join the Dignity and Justice Fund and bring additional resources to this collective fight.“

The first grants will begin in late 2022 or early 2023.