There has been an increase in a concerning method of seizing control over an iPhone and permanently blocking the owner from accessing the device. Thieves are exploiting the recovery key security setting, making it extremely difficult for the owners to retrieve their data and accounts. This method involves watching the passcode being entered or manipulating the user to share it, and then gaining control over the Apple ID, disabling "Find my iPhone," and resetting the recovery key. Once the recovery key is changed, the original owner is unable to access their account.
Criminals have been using a security setting called the recovery key to take control of iPhones and lock the owners out of their devices. To execute this, they need to watch the user entering the passcode or manipulate the owner to share it, enabling them to take over the Apple ID, turn off "Find my iPhone," and reset the recovery key. As a result, the original owner cannot regain access to their account.
Apple is aware of this issue and is attempting to protect its users. The company advises users to safeguard their passcodes, utilize Face ID or Touch ID to unlock their phones in public, and set up a longer and harder-to-guess passcode. Additionally, users should regularly back up their data and consider using alternative cloud services for storing sensitive information.
Apple thieves have been exploiting the recovery key to take over iPhones and permanently lock the owners out of their devices. To achieve this, they observe the passcode being entered or manipulate the owner to share it, gaining control over the Apple ID and resetting the recovery key. As a result, the original owner is unable to regain access to their account.
To protect themselves, Apple users should take measures such as safeguarding their passcodes, using Face ID or Touch ID, setting up a longer passcode, and regularly backing up their data. Additionally, enabling a secondary password within the Screen Time setting and using alternative cloud services for sensitive data can provide added protection.