A few months ago, Apple announced that it was planning a special type of iPhone that would not be available to regular consumers. These new iPhones have been described by the company as hacker -friendly and will be shipped exclusively to security researchers . The new iDevice began shipping this week.
As you may know, iPhones that consumers receive come with a locked down version of iOS, making it difficult for hack into a cybercriminal to . Apple takes the security and safety of its users very seriously . However, this enhanced protection also poses a barrier for security researchers who are trying to analyze and discover security vulnerabilities in the iPhone operating system . Apple realized that it was making it difficult for researchers to do so, and decided to offer a special, hacker-friendly iPhone to the research community .
Apple is said to have started sending out notifications this week to a first group of researchers who will receive the special iPhone. The new devices should be in the researchers' hands soon.
The hacker-friendly iPhones are essentially being given to security researchers on “loan” from Apple for a period of 12 months, but can be extended if Apple deems it necessary. Apple hopes that with these new phones, researchers security will be able to immediately identify and report any vulnerabilities. Researchers are trying to do this anyway because Apple runs a bug bounty program and pays experts who discover security. The amount paid depends on how serious a vulnerability is, with the top reward currently being $1.5 million. Now with the hacker-friendly iPhones, the experts’ job will be made easier.
So don't expect to see the new devices hit the market anytime soon. Apple has made it clear that they won't be used by ordinary consumerslike the rest of its phones.
Source: Mashable
