Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Apple makes extra security for iPhone users. However, this update has made law enforcement confused.
The reason is that this feature makes the iPhone suddenly reboot itself after being inactive for several days, making it difficult for law enforcement or forensic teams to break into it.
This is known from a 404 Media report last week. Where an iPhone kept for forensic investigation suddenly rebooted itself, making it difficult for law enforcement to collect evidence from the suspect’s device.
According to the findings of researcher Dr. -Ing. Jiska Classen of the Hass Plattner Institute, Apple quietly added a new feature in iOS 18.1 that will reboot the iPhone if it is not unlocked for a certain period of time.
The iPhone feature that is confusing the police is called ‘activity reboot’. Basically this feature is a timer that counts how long an iPhone with iOS 18 or higher is inactive or unlocked.
This timer will start after the device is unlocked or when the user first unlocks the iPhone since the device is turned on.
With this feature, after four days of not using the device and being locked, the device will reboot while inactive, as quoted from Mashable, Tuesday (12/11/2024).
This reboot will bring the iPhone to the “Before First Unlock” state, where the user must enter a password or PIN to unlock the cellphone. This makes it difficult for the police to break into the iPhone, even using forensic tools.
A cryptographer explained to 404 Media that the practical reason for this feature is to prevent thieves from stealing iPhones, hacking the devices, then reselling them or using personal data for malicious purposes.
However, it appears law enforcement officials were affected by this change and are now spreading information to others in the field about how to address it.
(fab/fab)
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Video: Tight Competition, iPhone Hit by Chinese Cellphones
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Apple’s New Feature: The Cop Confuser!
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – In a move that could make even the most seasoned magician envious, Apple has unleashed a new security feature for iPhone users that’s causing quite the kerfuffle among law enforcement. Imagine the scene: detectives eagerly trying to crack open the latest iPhone only to have it pull a disappearing act right before their eyes!
So, what’s going on? Well, as reported by 404 Media, iPhones running on iOS 18.1 now have an “activity reboot” feature that shocks the system back to life after four days of inactivity. Yes, you heard that correctly—if your iPhone is left untouched, it decides it’s had enough of waiting around. It does a dramatic spin and reboots, bringing everything to a screeching halt and sending any self-respecting forensic team into a tailspin. Talk about an Apple with a rebellious streak!
iPhone: The Houdini of Phones
This feature has left law enforcement teams scratching their heads (or perhaps throwing their phones in frustration). Since the device reboots and regresses to a “Before First Unlock” state, it requires a fancy password or PIN to unlock, effectively locking out any forensic investigation like a fancy vault! It’s all fun and games until the cops start wishing they’d stuck to investigating robbers with crowbars instead of tech-savvy smartphones.
But why, you ask? Well, according to Dr. -Ing. Jiska Classen from the Hass Plattner Institute, this is Apple’s chivalrous attempt to thwart thieves—those dastardly villains who steal phones, hack into the private lives of unsuspecting users, and then resell them faster than you can say “iPhone 15.” So, it turns out, Apple is playing both hero and villain here! Give them a round of applause, if you like watching the drama unfold!
The Great Communicators: Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officials may have once felt like they were the tech-savvy protagonists of a high-stakes crime show, but thanks to this new feature, they’re now sounding the alarm and sharing tips with colleagues on how to combat Apple’s latest artful dodger. “Hey, did you know your iPhone could just decide to go on holiday without notice?” sounds like something that might come up in the break room. Unofficial police seminars about cracking the mysterious iPhone code are probably in the works as we speak!
In the grand tussle of security versus law enforcement, it seems like Apple has just pulled ahead with a cheeky little card up their sleeve. And while detectives may be left with their work cut out for them, we can’t help but chuckle at this high-tech cat-and-mouse game. Who knew technology could be so inconsiderate to those trying to do their job?
As we plunge into this digital age, it appears that iPhones will keep security tight and maybe leave a few law enforcement teams feeling a tad bewildered. But hey, life was never meant to be easy, right? With a good night’s sleep and a bit of investigative wit, they might just crack the case—or at the very least, they’ll have a lucrative new career in finding clever workarounds! Who knew that the path to justice could be so complicated?
(fab/fab)
Watch the video below:
Video: Tight Competition, iPhone Hit by Chinese Cellphones
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – In a significant move aimed at bolstering the security of iPhone users, Apple has introduced enhanced safety features in their latest updates. However, this initiative has inadvertently created challenges for law enforcement agencies tasked with device forensics.
Among the key concerns is a newly implemented feature that prompts iPhones to automatically reboot after a period of inactivity, specifically if the device remains unlocked for several days. This unanticipated reboot complicates the ability of investigators to access critical evidence stored on suspects’ devices.
This development came to light through a detailed report by 404 Media published last week, which revealed an incident where an iPhone designated for forensic examination unexpectedly restarted, thereby hindering law enforcement’s ability to gather crucial data.
Dr. -Ing. Jiska Classen from the Hass Plattner Institute has shed light on this phenomenon, noting that Apple has discreetly integrated a new feature in iOS 18.1 designed to initiate a reboot if the iPhone remains inactive for a specified duration after it has been unlocked.
The feature that has perplexed law enforcement is termed ‘activity reboot.’ It essentially functions as a timer, tracking the length of time an iPhone operating on iOS 18 or later remains inactive or locked.
This advanced timer becomes operational immediately after the device is unlocked or when the user first activates the iPhone upon powering it on. According to reports, if the device remains unused for four consecutive days while locked, it will spontaneously reboot, reverting to a state known as “Before First Unlock.” At this point, the user is required to enter a password or PIN to regain access, complicating forensic efforts even when specialized tools are employed.
A cryptographer explained to 404 Media that this feature serves a practical purpose by thwarting theft attempts; it prevents criminals from stealing iPhones and subsequently unlocking them to either exploit personal information for malicious activities or sell the devices illicitly.
The introduction of this feature has prompted law enforcement authorities to share information among their ranks regarding effective strategies for overcoming the obstacles it presents in criminal investigations.
Ices, as reported by 404 Media. Instances have arisen where devices intended for forensic examination rebooted unexpectedly, hindering law enforcement’s ability to gather necessary data.
The feature — termed ‘activity reboot’ — is part of iOS 18.1 and is designed to heighten security by monitoring user activity. When an iPhone is inactive for four days, it automatically reboots, reverting to a “Before First Unlock” state. This means that the user must enter a password or PIN to access the device, effectively locking out forensic tools that might otherwise allow investigators to extract information.
Dr. -Ing. Jiska Classen from the Hass Plattner Institute has noted that this significant security measure aims to deter theft and misuse of personal data. By rebooting after periods of inactivity, Apple hopes to reduce the risk of stolen devices being accessed or repurposed by criminals.
The introduction of this feature has not gone unnoticed by law enforcement, who are now navigating the challenges it presents. Officials are sharing insights and strategies, discussing how to manage the added complexity of investigating cases involving these updated iPhones. The situation underscores the evolving landscape of phone security and the ongoing tug-of-war between technology providers and law enforcement agencies.
while Apple’s new security measures aim to enhance user protection, they also signify a new frontier in forensic challenges. It remains to be seen how law enforcement will adapt to these changes in technology as they seek to balance user privacy with the need for evidence in their investigations.
