Is Apple's iPhone and Mac under Security threat?

In a bid to enhance user privacy and safeguard personal data, Apple has rolled out a significant security update for iPhones, aiming to thwart unauthorized access by potential thieves.

The latest feature, labeled "Stolen Device Protection," introduces an additional layer of security, requiring users to go through additional steps to access sensitive information. This security enhancement is part of the iOS 17.3 update released on Monday.

To activate the Stolen Device Protection, users need to update their iPhones and navigate to the Face ID & Passcode section in settings. After entering their passcode, users can then enable Stolen Device Protection. It is crucial to note that to utilize this feature, two-factor authentication and "Find My" must be enabled for the associated Apple ID account.

Before this update, iPhone users could access highly sensitive data and make substantial changes to their device settings using only a passcode, typically a four or six-digit number. With the implementation of Stolen Device Protection, users are now required to input biometric data through Face ID (facial scan) or Touch ID (fingerprint) for accessing data or making changes.

For more critical actions, such as changing an Apple ID password, modifying biometric scanning settings, disabling Find My, or turning off Stolen Device Protection itself, users will be prompted to provide biometric data and then endure an hour-long security delay before re-entering biometric data for the desired changes.

In response to these developments, an Apple spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to continuously evolving security measures to protect user devices and data. They highlighted that Stolen Device Protection serves as an additional safeguard in scenarios where a thief might observe a user entering their passcode and subsequently steal the device.

It's worth noting that these heightened security measures are activated only when a user is away from familiar locations, such as home or work. The device automatically learns and stores these locations for added convenience and security.