alt Hacker NewsIt seems unfortunate that enhanced protection against physically attached devices requires enabling a mode that is much broader, and sounds like it has a noticeable impact on device functionality.
I never attach my iPhone to anything that's not a power source. I would totally enable an "enhanced protection for external accessories" mode. But I'm not going to enable a general "Lockdown mode" that Apple tells me means my "device won’t function like it typically does"
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> I would totally enable an "enhanced protection for external accessories" mode.
Anyone can do this for over a decade now, and it's fairly straightforward:
- 2014: https://www.zdziarski.com/blog/?p=2589
- recent: https://reincubate.com/support/how-to/pair-lock-supervise-ip...
This goes beyond the "wired accessories" toggle.
> it has a noticeable impact on device functionality.
The lack of optional granularity on security settings is super frustrating because it leads to many users just opting out of any heightened security.
GrapheneOS does this by default - only power delivery when locked. Also it's a hardware block, not software. Seems to be completely immune to these USB exploit tools.
It isn’t. Settings > Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories
Set to ask for new accessories or always ask.
Computer security is generally inversely proportional to convenience. Best opsec is generally to have multiple devices.
> I never attach my iPhone to anything that's not a power source.
It's "attached" to the wifi and to the cell network. Pretty much the same thing.
There is a setting as of iOS 26 under "Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories" in which you can make data connections always prompt for access. Not that there haven't been bypasses for this before, but perhaps still of interest to you.