As per the latest report, Apple has taken another step forward to ensure that its smartphones are secure, and their software is void of any vulnerabilities and bugs. To achieve this goal, Apple has started launching iPhones that are created in such a way that they become ‘hacker-friendly.’
The reason why Apple did this is because of its operating system, which is considered as one of the safest systems in the world because it can lock down the software. This makes its defenses almost unbreachable, and while it kept the hackers at bay, it also did not let the security researchers in too. So, if any problem with the software occurs, the security researchers are unable to push through the system to find and cure the cause.
To make things slightly easier for the security researchers and experts, Apple finally decided to do something about it. So, for research purposes, it has begun launching hacker-friendly iPhones that will be given to security researchers on loan, who can then look into any bugs in the software or any other weak points with the device itself, from the safety point of view.
These special Security Research Device (SRD) iPhones will be able to give root shell access to these researchers and will let them run some commands that cannot be run on the iPhones that are manufactured for the general public.
However, this is not where the story ends! These special iPhones have special rules and regulations of usage.
First off, the thing to keep in mind is that these are extremely sensitive iPhones that should never land in the wrong hands. So, there is a proper eligibility criterion which allows only a certain number of security researchers from certain eligible regions who can have their hand on these SRD iPhones.
Secondly, whoever gets access to one of these iPhones can never use it for personal purposes, or as a personal device. The SRD iPhone always has to be on the premises of the program participants, so the device cannot be carried around just randomly too.
Another important rule that cannot be violated is that the security researchers cannot reveal any vulnerabilities they find in the device to the public until it gets fixed by Apple or any proper third party. While these security researchers will have access to extensive documents because they will be a part of a dedicated forum with the engineers of Apple, yet they have to remain discreet about their findings to avoid them getting leaked to the public.
Another important requirement is that the researcher has to be a part of the Apple Developer Program, with a past work experience of finding vulnerabilities with various operating systems.
Since the eligibility criteria are quite strict, even if a researcher agrees to all these conditions, there is no guarantee whether Apple will give them access to the SRD iPhone or not.
Let us wait and see how this all unfolds, and whether Apple will be able to achieve its goal of having an advanced, completely secure, and bug-free software and device or not?
Read next: Cyber-security Experts Tell How Often Should You Change Your Passwords
The reason why Apple did this is because of its operating system, which is considered as one of the safest systems in the world because it can lock down the software. This makes its defenses almost unbreachable, and while it kept the hackers at bay, it also did not let the security researchers in too. So, if any problem with the software occurs, the security researchers are unable to push through the system to find and cure the cause.
To make things slightly easier for the security researchers and experts, Apple finally decided to do something about it. So, for research purposes, it has begun launching hacker-friendly iPhones that will be given to security researchers on loan, who can then look into any bugs in the software or any other weak points with the device itself, from the safety point of view.
These special Security Research Device (SRD) iPhones will be able to give root shell access to these researchers and will let them run some commands that cannot be run on the iPhones that are manufactured for the general public.
However, this is not where the story ends! These special iPhones have special rules and regulations of usage.
First off, the thing to keep in mind is that these are extremely sensitive iPhones that should never land in the wrong hands. So, there is a proper eligibility criterion which allows only a certain number of security researchers from certain eligible regions who can have their hand on these SRD iPhones.
Secondly, whoever gets access to one of these iPhones can never use it for personal purposes, or as a personal device. The SRD iPhone always has to be on the premises of the program participants, so the device cannot be carried around just randomly too.
Another important rule that cannot be violated is that the security researchers cannot reveal any vulnerabilities they find in the device to the public until it gets fixed by Apple or any proper third party. While these security researchers will have access to extensive documents because they will be a part of a dedicated forum with the engineers of Apple, yet they have to remain discreet about their findings to avoid them getting leaked to the public.
Another important requirement is that the researcher has to be a part of the Apple Developer Program, with a past work experience of finding vulnerabilities with various operating systems.
Since the eligibility criteria are quite strict, even if a researcher agrees to all these conditions, there is no guarantee whether Apple will give them access to the SRD iPhone or not.
Let us wait and see how this all unfolds, and whether Apple will be able to achieve its goal of having an advanced, completely secure, and bug-free software and device or not?
Read next: Cyber-security Experts Tell How Often Should You Change Your Passwords
