Apple’s latest iPhone range comes with upgraded memory security to help protect users from advanced spyware and surveillance attacks. At the core of this upgrade is Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), a technology built to prevent memory corruption bugs – one of the most common vulnerabilities exploited by spyware developers.
By closing off this avenue of attack, MIE could make the iPhone 17 one of the most secure devices on the market, strengthening consumer protection and raising the bar for surveillance firms and exploit vendors seeking to compromise iPhones.
Memory Integrity Enforcement vastly reduces the exploitation strategies available to attackers. MIE cuts off so many exploit steps at a fundamental level.
However, while the phone itself is protected a weak point remains with the user and this is where scammers are keen to focus their attentions, especially in seeking to trick users into clicking on links.
Commenting on these findings, Archie Burkinshaw, mobiles expert at Uswitch, tells Digital Journal about the key risks. He starts with the general vulnerabilities that smartphone users face: “There are endless ways by which scammers can get their hands on phone numbers. Scraping social media, stolen data from data breaches, or even simply answering a spam call confirming an active number are all enough to get you on a scam list.”
Turning to Apple’s latest product, Burkinshaw finds: “If you bought the new iPhone this September and are getting a new number, be sure to do this on day one. The free Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is tied to your phone number, not the device, so if you’re keeping your existing number, you won’t need to do anything – it will transfer over.”
TPS is a UK based service. This service adds your number to the UK’s official “Do Not Call” register, forcing organisations to stop calling you for sales and marketing purposes. TPS was created in 1996 by the Data & Marketing Association (DMA) and it is enforced in UK law.
In terms of specific scam risks for iPhone users, Burkinshawcalls out: “Deepfake scam calls have been prevalent and have been costing victims thousands, so it is key to be aware of the warning signs. One of the most common tactics fraudsters use in deepfake calls is disguising themselves as a loved one who may be in urgent need of financial help.”
Burkinshaw adds: “Always take caution if you receive a call or text which seems out of the blue, and has an urgent call to action. You should call your loved ones yourself to check if you are unsure, and ask specific questions only they would know the answer to, in order to ensure it’s really them.
“If you find yourself inundated with spam messaging and calls, it is worth using your phone’s built-in call blocking features or third-party apps such as TrueCaller or Hiya to filter spam. Be sure to report spam or malicious calls to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) by forwarding scam texts to 7726 or reporting these online, to help them take action against illegal callers.”
