Security

Security experts contracted to attempt to bypass iOS 7’s Activation Lock feature

Cody Lee ∙ July 18, 2013

Earlier this year, San Francisco's district attorney George Gascón met with Apple's government rep Michael Foulkes to discuss the rising number of iPhone thefts. He felt like the company could be doing more, on a technological level, to thwart these would-be thieves.

Apple responded in a major way. In June, the company introduced a new feature in iOS 7 called Activation Lock, which can prevent thieves from activating a stolen handset without the proper credentials. But while Gascón says he appreciates the effort, he's not convinced...

Apple joins alliance of tech companies in push for better NSA transparency

Cody Lee ∙ July 17, 2013

Apple is reportedly teaming up with Google, Facebook, Microsoft and a number of other tech companies that will demand dramatically increased transparency from the US government regarding surveillance by the NSA and other agencies.

In a letter to be published tomorrow, the alliance—which includes 63 companies, investors, and non-profit orgs—will call upon President Obama and congressional leaders to allow them to report more specifically on security requests...

Tumblr posts ‘very important’ app update to patch security flaw

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Yahoo-owned Tumblr issued an update for its native iOS app last night, bringing the client to version 3.4.1. But you won't find any new features or UI enhancements in this release—this particular update is all about security.

Apparently the popular micro-blogging service was recently made aware of a major security issue, which in some cases allowed user passwords to be compromised. So it's urging users to download this 'very important' update...

Pirate Bay co-founder touts ‘secret’ messaging app

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

So, you want to order a pizza or text sweet nothings to your significant other without the NSA listening? The co-founder of The Pirate Bay, known for swapping illicit copies of movies and software, has a secret - literally. Peter Sunde is raising funds for Hemlis (Swedish for "secret"), a new kind of messaging app for iOS and Android he and his team are working on. They boldly claim the software is designed to keep out the most prying eyes, such as those from the U.S. government's PRISM program...

New FIPS 140-2 level 2 certification could spur government adoption of iOS

Cody Lee ∙ June 30, 2013

As BlackBerry continues on its downward spiral, more and more of its government clients are jumping ship. And it's no secret that pretty much every other handset manufacturer out there is looking to lure the RIM refugees into their respective mobile platforms.

At least it seems that Apple is working hard to earn their business. Just a few months after receiving Level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification—a security standard developed by the US government for use in its computers, comes word that it's gained Level 2 compliance...

‘PatternUnlock’ brings Android inspired security to iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 12, 2018

PatternUnlock isn't the first jailbreak tweak to hit Cydia that features an Android-like pattern unlock pattern, but it is, perhaps, the best. Other jailbreak tweaks like AndroidLockXT can lay claim to being the first, and some may prefer the vast amount of options offered with that tweak.

I prefer PatternUnlock, however, because of its ease of use, design, and impeccable documentation. It's a tweak that plays nice with stock iOS, and compliments the standard experience instead of making it feel obtuse and disjointed. Take a look inside as I go hands-on with PatternUnlock on video.

BlackBerry rolls out Secure Work Space to iOS and Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry today announced Secure Work Space, a new option for increased enterprise security on iOS and Android devices. Part of BlackBerry Enterprise Services 10, Secure Work Space extends BlackBerry security for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets without the need for a VPN infrastructure. Specifically, the option provides secure email, calendar, contacts and browser, as well as secure document management and work app deployment...

Accessory vendor bypasses iOS 7 Lightning check

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

One of the little-known features of iOS 7 that not many people will like is its background check of whether or not a third-party accessory is hooked up to the your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad using a non-certified Lightning cable.

We've know Apple has tightened its MFi program rules (MFi stands for 'Made for iDevice') and iOS 7 seems to be stepping up a cat and mouse game between Apple and non-MFi vendors....

Preview: PatternUnlock

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

PatternUnlock is an upcoming jailbreak tweak that brings Android inspired Lock screen security to the iPhone. It features user customizable unlock patterns and various Lock screen themes that can be user customized as well.

The tweak, which will sell for $1.99 on Cydia's BigBoss repo, is due to touch down some time this weekend. For now, check out our brief preview video of the tweak inside.

Default iOS hotspot passwords can be cracked in under a minute

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 19, 2013

You may want to reconsider using a default password iOS provides for hotspot functionality as researchers at a German university warn of the weaknesses that let attackers crack any default iOS hotspot password in under a minute. Although Windows Phone uses even weaker passwords and some Android vendors weaken their device's security by modifying the Wi-Fi-related components, Apple's problem is that iOS generates "random" hotspot passwords using a dictionary of only 1,842 different entries...

Apple posts open letter regarding PRISM accusations and customer privacy

Cody Lee ∙ June 17, 2013

Apple has just issued a statement regarding its customer privacy policy, following accusations that it is involved in a US government-run PRISM program that offers up user data without warrant. It's already commented on the situation, but it obviously felt it needed to be more clear.

Tonight the company posted an open letter to its website entitled 'Apple's Commitment to Customer Privacy.' The letter reiterates that Apple knew nothing about the so-called PRISM program, and offers insight into its relationship with the government and what it means for users...

Prosecutors combine to fight smartphone thefts

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

While its no case of Elliot Ness against Chicago's rum runners of Prohibition days, prosecutors in two major U.S. cities are teaming up with local police to fight a wave of violent smartphone thefts. Law enforcers Thursday issued an SOS of sorts, or 'Save Our Smartphones'.

The announcement comes as Apple and other smartphone makers meet with the New York State Attorney General and San Francisco's District Attorney. It's unknown whether Apple's new Activation Lock feature unveiled during Monday's WWDC keynote as part of iOS 7 will be enough to satisfy calls for handset makers to create a kill switch to disable stolen smartphones...