A security company has discovered a way to make your iPhone vulnerable to hackers through a fake airplane mode. That way you are safe.
Airplane mode on iPhone
There are several reasons to enable airplane mode on your iPhone, for example, you can switch off WiFi, mobile data and Bluetooth at once with the function. In addition, the battery of your iPhone with airplane mode turned on lasts a little longer. So the feature has a number of benefits, but it also affects the security of your iPhone.
Read also: Airplane mode on the plane? Big nonsense!
If your iPhone is not connected to (mobile) internet and Bluetooth, your phone is much less vulnerable to malicious software from hackers. This software is often transferred via the internet. However, security company Jamf has now revealed a way to make your iPhone vulnerable to hackers even with the feature. Hackers have developed a fake airplane mode.
Fake airplane mode discovered
The security company has shared a method that shows that your iPhone can be put in a fake airplane mode. It then seems as if the function is enabled on an iPhone, while in practice that is not the case at all. In this fake mode, you will see the airplane symbol in the corner of your screen, just like the dimmed symbols for (mobile) internet and Bluetooth in the control panel. This makes it look like your iPhone is in airplane mode.
This fake airplane mode only changes the icons, but the functions remain enabled in the background. This means that your iPhone is still connected to the internet and your phone remains vulnerable to hackers. In this mode it can also be set which apps do and do not connect to the internet. As a result, you do not immediately (or even at all) realize that airplane mode is not switched on at all.
Access code extremely important
Jamf did not share in the security report how hackers can use fake airplane mode. That is of course not surprising, because it prevents abuse of the iOS problem. To enable mock mode, the iPhone’s software needs to be modified. This requires your iPhone to be unlocked in any case, so the passcode is extremely important.
Therefore, make sure that your iPhone is properly secured, so that the fake airplane mode cannot just be put on your iPhone. In any case, set a six-digit code, or even an alphanumeric code. In addition, preferably unlock your iPhone with Face ID or Touch ID, especially in public areas. This way you can be sure that no one is watching your code, something that is increasingly being done by thieves. And most importantly, don’t leave your iPhone unattended (and unlocked).
Also read: Never do it: charge iPhone on the train or at the airport (here’s why)
To make sure that flight mode is enabled, it is best to go to the settings of your iPhone. If the switch behind ‘Airplane mode’ is on there, the function is switched on. This way you can be sure that your iPhone is not vulnerable to hackers and that (mobile) internet and Bluetooth are really switched off.
Do you always want to stay up to date with Apple news? Then sign up for our newsletter. In addition, download the free iphoned app and keep an eye on our website. Then you’ll never miss an Apple news again!