Security News > 2024 > January > Apple debuts new feature to frustrate iPhone thieves

Besides fixing an actively exploited zero-day vulnerability, the latest update for the iOS 17 branch offers a new feature to help you protect your accounts and sensitive information in case your iPhone gets stolen.

If enabled, the Stolen Device Protection feature makes it difficult for iPhone thieves to switch certain features on or off and perform certain actions if your iPhone is not at a familiar location such as your home or work place.

Stolen Device Protection also enforces a security delay of one hour for making changes to critical security settings or the user's Apple ID. "If your iPhone is not in a familiar location, you must authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, wait for the security delay to end, then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID again to update [certain] settings," Apple explained.

Changing your Apple ID password, updating Apple ID account security settings, or signing out of your Apple ID. Changing your iPhone passcode, adding or removing Face ID or Touch ID, resetting device settings, or turning off Find My and Stolen Device Protection.

Of course, the feature must be turned on before your device is lost or stolen and - Apple advises - should be turned off "Before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone."

The feature might give you enough time to perform preemptive actions such as changing your Apple ID password, removing your iPhone for your Apple account, and remotely erasing it.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2024/01/23/iphone-stolen-device-protection/