Quartz, writing about a black box you connect to a cracked open iPhone:
The hacking equipment is called IP Box, and can be found on eBay for about $200. It’s a black box that connects to an iPhone and systematically runs through every possible PIN combination to unlock it.
Can this be used to break into the San Bernardino iPhone 5c? It is running iOS 8.1.2. Jury still out on whether this technique will work on that particular version of iOS. Fascinating stuff.
Strong words of support for Apple from the statement released this morning by the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Walt Mossberg, writing for Re/code:
Unlike with the iPhone hardware itself, Apple does retain the ability to decrypt most of what’s in these backups. And the company does on occasion turn their contents over to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies when a proper legal warrant or court order is presented.
Mark Cuban brings up a novel point about planted evidence.
This is said to be the first cyberattack that turned off a major power grid. Astonishing.
The Secure Enclave is a mechanism inside your iPhone and Apple Watch, walled off from the rest of iOS, that holds the key to verifying your identity. Read the post for a short explanation of this mechanism by Apple and a link to an excellent, more detailed explanation from Mike Ash.
Pretty incredible story. Be sure to read the Update at the bottom of the post.
Using the All Writs Act to force Apple to build custom software does not come cheap. When someone says, Apple should just give them to number or disable the encryption, it shows they do not understand the costs involved. Apple lays those costs out.
The video embedded in the post is now the full interview, with a transcription of a few of Tim’s comments.
“Bill Gates back FBI iPhone hack request”? Please. That does both Bill Gates and Apple a terrible disservice.
From a Reuters article, sounds like the Justice Department brought in a lawyer to represent the San Bernardino shooting victims. But there’s also an article about a mom of one of the victims siding with Apple. Complicated.
Amazing to watch the CEO of one of the largest companies in the world take such a strong stance based on personal beliefs.
Apple posted an FAQ clarifying their position in terms of the court order and their response to the FBI. A well reasoned response.
An image is worth a thousand words.
Anti-virus pioneer, Cyber Party presidential candidate, and sometime fugitive John McAfee made a public offer to crack the San Bernardino iPhone for the FBI. As of this writing, McAfee’s offer was not accepted.
Mark Cuban praises Apple, brings up some interesting points.
From what I’ve read, at the core of this problem is HTTP usage, instead of HTTPS. Sparkle has fixed things on their end, but it will take time for that fix to make its way into new versions of Mac apps.
The Norwegian police may have waited just a touch too long to make this decision.
The article walks you through the process. Tuck this one away, pass it along.
This is why we can’t have nice things.
First New York, now California. The dominoes are falling.
This is the wild, wild west. Enter the Internet of Things at your peril.
This is a terrific piece from Rich Mogull, writing for TidBITS, that looks at why Apple stands alone in defending encryption. But the article goes further. It lays out the history of government monitoring of communications, as well as the arguments that drive both sides. Important topic.
This is troublesome, and outrageous on many levels. It obviously impacts Apple more than any other company.
I know of no other tech company whose CEO has taken as strong a position on privacy as has Tim Cook.
PayPal’s official response to the Brian Krebs hacking article we posted yesterday.
A solid walkthrough of your options, worth reading now (while you still know your password), then tucking away for later (when you forget your password).
Rene Ritchie walks through a variety of iOS security settings, shedding light on the recommended balance between security and convenience. Definitely worth reading.
This is frightening. If you use PayPal, read the whole post. Know your risks.
Matt Elliott, writing for CNET, lays out some solid tips here. See my post for one change I’d recommend to everyone.