Tomas Chlebek On pages The Washington Post with last night discovered post by Craig Federighi, Apple's head of software development, commenting FBI requirements, which, according to him, threaten the data security of all iOS device owners.
Federighi is indirectly responding to arguments that Apple's iOS backdoor could only be used in exceptional cases, including the dead San Bernardino terrorist's iPhone. It describes how hackers have successfully attacked retail chains, banks and even the government in just the past eighteen months, gaining access to the bank accounts, social security numbers and fingerprint records of millions of people.
He goes on to say that securing mobile phones is not just about the personal information they contain. “Your phone is more than just a personal device. In today's mobile, connected world, it's part of the perimeter of security that protects your family and co-workers,” says Federighi.
A breach of the security of a single device can, due to its nature, compromise the entire infrastructure, such as power grids and transport hubs. Infiltrating and disrupting these complex networks can start with individual attacks on individual devices. Through them, malicious malware and spyware can be spread to entire institutions.
Apple tries to prevent these attacks by constantly improving the protection of its devices against external, unauthorized intrusion. As the efforts for them are becoming more and more sophisticated, it is also important to constantly strengthen protection and eliminate errors. That's why Federighi finds it a big disappointment when the FBI proposes a return to the complexity of security measures from 2013, when iOS 7 was created.
“The security of iOS 7 was at the highest possible level at the time, but it has since been breached by hackers. What's worse, some of their methods have been translated into products that are now available to attackers who are less capable but often have worse intentions," Federighi reminds.
FBI already admitted, that the software allowing to bypass the iPhone passcode would not be used only in the case that started the whole dispute with Apple. Its existence would, in Federighi's words, "become a weakness that hackers and criminals could exploit to wreak havoc on the privacy and personal security of all of us."
In conclusion, Federighi repeatedly appeals that it is very dangerous to reduce the sophistication of protection below the capabilities of potential attackers, not only for the sake of the personal data of individuals, but for the sake of the stability of the entire system.
