Stolen Device Protection – iOS
Apple is set to introduce an innovative theft protection feature called “Stolen Device Protection” with the upcoming iOS 17.3 update. This new addition is geared towards providing enhanced peace of mind to Apple device users, making it significantly more difficult for unauthorized individuals to take control of an iPhone, even if the passcode falls into the wrong hands.
This proactive measure comes in response to a recent surge in fraudulent activities where thieves employ various tactics, such as social engineering or covertly obtaining passcodes, to gain unauthorized access to personal devices.
If you Do Nothing?
- A thief can use the passcode to change your Apple account password and lock you out. This move is the key to thieves turning off Find My Device and wiping phones for resale. Since you don’t have the changed Apple ID, you can’t immediately locate your phone or remotely wipe its data.
- A thief can use the passcode to enable a recovery key. Apple designed this feature to protect the users from online hackers. But if a thief adds a recovery key, you can’t reset your Apple ID passcode with your phone number or email. That means losing all your documents saved in iCloud and that may be forever.
Stolen Device Protection
- If you want to change an Apple ID password when away from familiar location, the device will require your FACE ID or Touch Id. It will then implement an hour-long delay before you can perform this action. After that hour has passed, you will have to reconfirm with another Face ID or Touch Id scan, only then the password and Face ID changes will apply.
- Enabling or changing the recovery key or trusted phone number will require two biometric scans an hour apart.
How does Stolen Device Protection work?
Once activated, this feature leverages Apple’s Face ID recognition technology to ascertain the phone’s location. If the device is detected in a location that is not typically associated with the user’s home, workplace, or other familiar locations, it triggers an additional security measure. This prompts the requirement for Face ID authentication alongside the passcode for performing sensitive actions, such as altering passwords or making significant settings changes such as turning off Find My Device. This additional layer of security ensures that unauthorized individuals, even with the passcode, cannot manipulate the device and take full control.
To further fortify the security, Apple has introduced a 1-hour delay for any attempts to modify the Apple ID or remove Face ID. After initiating such changes, users must undergo a Face ID verification again to complete the process, thereby minimizing the window of opportunity for potential attackers.
Prior to this update, Apple’s security protocols, including Face ID recognition, were reliant solely on the passcode. However, with the introduction of Stolen Device Protection, even possessing the passcode alone will not grant full control over the device to unauthorized individuals.
The feature is an opt-in option, allowing users to choose whether to enable this added layer of security based on their preferences. It will be available to all iPhone users upon the release of iOS 17.3 in the upcoming weeks.
As threats to user devices continue to evolve in our modern world these kind of security measures are very much needed. With iPhone data encryption already leading the industry, this new Stolen Device Protection feature stands as a robust safeguard against unauthorized access and reinforces Apple’s commitment to user privacy and security.
In summary, this upcoming update marks a significant stride in enhancing iPhone security, offering users an additional safeguard against theft and unauthorized access, ensuring their sensitive data remains protected even in unfortunate scenarios involving stolen devices.