USB restricted mode: now you don’t see it, now you do…

Graham Cluley: New iOS security feature can be defeated by a $39 adapter… sold by Apple – “Unfortunately for Apple, and customers who like to believe that their phone is private, a workaround has been discovered whereby police could prevent an iPhone or iPad entering USB Restricted Mode if they act quickly enough … Researchers at Elcomsoft discovered that the one hour countdown timer can be reset simply by connecting the iPhone to an untrusted USB accessory.” Further commentary from Pierluigi Paganini: Just using a $39 device it is possible to defeat new iOS USB Restricted Mode.

This is what was supposed to happen, according to The Verge: Apple releases iOS 11.4.1 and blocks passcode cracking tools used by police. While the Register told us that Apple emits iPhone cop-block update – plus iOS, macOS, Safari patches, and Help Net said Apple releases security updates, adds new privacy protection for iOS users. Well, that didn’t last long…

Also…

Help Net: Android devices with pre-installed malware sold in developing markets – “This malware, designed to commit digital ad fraud, collects users’ personal information, depletes their mobile data allowance and triggers fraudulent charges to their pre-paid credit, without their knowledge or consent.”

Sophos: Apple and Google questioned by Congress over user tracking – “Inquiring minds want to know, for one thing, whether our mobile phones are actually listening to our conversations, the committee said in a press release.”

David Harley