Apple has announced a major upgrade to its security settings with this new feature called Lockdown Mode. This optional feature is said to provide a higher level of security for users who activate it. But what exactly does it do? Are there any drawbacks from using it?? Here’s what we know so far.
Be sure to subscribe to the All Things Secured YouTube channel!
In early July 2022, Apple announced a new security feature called “Lockdown Mode.” This security feature is said to provide an “extreme, optional protection” for users who are at higher risk of mercenary spywares.
What Does Apple’s Lockdown Mode Do?
According to Apple, the Lockdown Mode is meant to increase the security of your device against sophisticated attacks by limiting certain functions and even disabling other kinds of connections. Here are some of its functions:
#1: Limited Messaging
If I were to activate Lockdown Mode on my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, I won’t be able to receive anything other than texts and images in the Messages app. Any link previews, pdfs, and other kinds of files are going to be blocked.
#2: Blocks Certain Web Technology
There’s not much detail yet about which technology will be blocked and how this would affect user experience however, a lot of what this kind of blocking feature protects you from would be things like document preview that downloads malicious code or perhaps websites that load malicious fonts.
The only down side of this blocking feature is that it might affect some of the webpages you visit, causing them to not load properly. But Apple does say that you have the option to whitelist certain websites.
NOTE: Whitelisting refers to the creation of an approved list of websites or IP addresses that won’t be blocked or changed.
#3: Block Incoming Invites and Service Requests
Apple uses FaceTime as an example here. According to them, a complete stranger would not be able to call you unless you’ve already called their number first.
But this is only what they mentioned so far. Would this also include phone calls? Airdrop?? We’d have to wait for their beta version to be released to know.
#4: All Wired Connections are Blocked
DID YOU KNOW: If somebody plugs directly into your phone, it’s possible for them to have full access to your device??
Thankfully, Apple’s new lockdown feature also offers to block all wired connections.
This means that the lighting and the USB C port on your device will be good for nothing more than just charging.
#5: Prohibits Mobile Device Management
Finally, Apple’s new Lockdown Mode prohibits the use of mobile device management (MDM) profiles. These MDM profiles are what businesses use to control all of their company devices.
Should YOU Activate Lockdown Mode?
I have had a chance test this new feature for a few months and I’m happy to report that there is very little disturbance in the normal operations of the phone. There might end up being a few website functions that break on your mobile phone (I couldn’t stream an NFL game, for example), but these are few and far between.
What do you think??
MORE Apple Security & Privacy Tips
If you want to increase the level of security of your iPhone even more, there are a number of different steps you can take.
For example, you can consider using an encrypted mobile service provider that adds additional privacy on the mobile carrier. Here are a few other ideas:
- Learn about these 8 iPhone security changes you need to make;
- Check out all of the iOS 16 new secure features!
- Understand more about the new Rapid Security Response update
