Apple is introducing a new security setting on iPhones called Stolen Device Protection that will provide an extra layer of protection against theft and other attacks where the user's private passcode is known. This mode will utilize the device's location data to determine if the user is in a familiar environment such as home or work. In the event the user is located somewhere else, FaceID authentication will be enforced in addition to the passcode for accessing sensitive functions like password checking and modification.
Apple has developed a new security mode, called Stolen Device Protection, for iPhones to protect users when thieves or other attackers learn their private passcode. This feature provides a second layer of security, making it harder for malicious actors to take advantage of the passcode in unsecured locations. Specifically, when Stolen Device Protection is enabled, the device will require FaceID facial recognition and a passcode in order to perform sensitive actions, such as viewing stored passwords or wiping the phone. Additionally, the feature adds a delay when changing the user's Apple ID password.This development follows a scam involving attackers befriending or spying on their victims and obtaining their passcode, often at bars, to steal their iPhones in order to bypass Apple's Activation Lock feature or Lost Mode. Stolen Device Protection is currently available to developers in the iOS 17.3 beta and will be released to the public within the next few weeks. An Apple spokesperson stated, "As threats to user devices continue to evolve, we work tirelessly to develop powerful new protections for our users and their data. iPhone data encryption has long led the industry, and a thief can't access data on a stolen iPhone without knowing the user's passcode. In the rare cases where a thief can observe the user entering the passcode and then steal the device, Stolen Device Protection adds a sophisticated new layer of protection."
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