Why Apple Is Trying to Crack Their Own iPhones

Devices made by Apple have been known as high-security gadgets with impeccable encryption. But the Cupertino crew keeps surprising us year after year. For instance, in the summer of 2022, Apple added a new feature called Lockdown mode. While most users won’t ever use this option, it is available in case of a cybersecurity emergency.

In 2023, the public learned that Apple has put together a team of experts who are working together on cracking future iPhones that are yet to be manufactured. Located in Paris, these engineers use various tools to find errors in future iPhones and fix them before they go into production.

Going behind the scenes

Engineers in Paris are actively trying to break into phones and are examining the latest hardware to find even the slightest weaknesses. For instance, they are testing the next-generation chip to see how well it encrypts images and files sent to iCloud storage.

Delivering the latest patches to users is easy, but mass-producing a product with a faulty chip is impossible to fix. Therefore, Apple’s engineers are using a variety of tools to test the chip and see if it can be hacked with lasers, heat, cold, etc.

The primary motivation behind these efforts is the rise of sophisticated spyware targeting journalists, activists, and individuals striving to create positive change in the world. Next-generation malware, such as Pegasus, is one of the reasons why Apple released the Lockdown mode in the first place. This type of cyber threat can surveil a target and steal data from their devices, which means that Apple needs to continuously enhance the security measures of iPhones.

How to make your iPhone more secure

While Apple is working hard on delivering the safest hardware and software, you can also do a couple of things on your end. Here’s how to make your iPhone even more secure:

1. Keep your software up to date

One of the most important things you should do when it comes to the overall security of your iPhone is to keep the software up to date. Apple is constantly fixing bugs and improving iOS, so don’t forget to download the latest version as soon as it becomes available.

These updates go beyond feature improvements—they encompass crucial security patches essential for safeguarding your device against malware, viruses, and other threats. Since most of us keep our personal and financial information on our phones, it is crucial to protect this data.

2. Clear cache

If you don’t have enough space on your iPhone to download the latest software updates, consider clearing the cache because this will free up valuable storage space. Additionally, clearing the cache is another significant step for improving the security of your iPhone. As previously mentioned, we save a lot of data on our phones, and some of it can be exploited in case of a security breach.

If you are unfamiliar with how to clear cache on iPhone, don’t worry because we got you covered. First, open the Safari app and tap on History. You’ll see the option Clear in the bottom right corner. Then, choose a timeframe you want to delete. Finally, tap on Clear History, and that’s it—you’ve just learned how to clear cache on iPhone!

3. Install apps from trusted sources

Downloading apps from unofficial sources to Apple devices was more common a decade or so ago. While the majority of users now use the App Store, there are still those who frequent risky sources. Regrettably, this can put your iPhone and the information it holds in danger. So whenever you want to download an app, the App Store is your best option for several reasons.

Apple’s team is working tirelessly to review every app on the platform, ensuring each meets all the security requirements. Every approved app strictly adheres to Apple’s privacy guidelines. However, apps from untrusted sources aren’t checked for malware and viruses.

4. Use two-factor authentication

Your iCloud account holds valuable information and could be a target for cybercriminals. Therefore, you need to be extra careful when setting up the password. It should be hard to guess and contain symbols, numbers, and a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters. Another way to ensure only you can access your iCloud account is to enable two-factor authentication.