Apple's quest to keep the data our iPhones safe takes an interesting turn that, without a doubt, will not please the forces of order. When iOS 11.4 ships, it includes a security feature that disables the Lightning port if the iPhone has not been unlocked for seven days.
This feature is called USB Restricted Mode. Apple describes it like this:
To improve security, for a locked iOS device to communicate with USB accessories, you need to cnect an accessory via the Lightning cnector to the device when you unlock it or enter the access code of your device at least ce a week
The Lightning port will ctinue to operate after the seven day period, but will not synchrize or transmit any data. To regain the full functiality of the Lightning port, you must enter the device access code.
The iPhone's hacking delay
is bad news for law enforcement agencies that rely Celebrite and Grayshift. These companies often physically cnect a device to the iPhone's Lightning port to hack, break access code and access data.
Government agencies usually have a backlog of devices that they want to hack. In some cases, this backlog is counted in years. Now Apple is about to limit the window of government to seven days
iOS 11.4 can disable USB cnectis via Lightning port after seven days
agencies will have to decide quickly what iPhones they want to hack for evidence. Even still, the chances of …
