After the announcement of iOS 9, Apple said it has disallowed the use of four-digit device passcode in favor of a stronger six-digit passcode. On the outset, it may not look like much; however, the addition of two extra digits will make devices running iOS 9, set to be released later this year, notably more strong to be able to withstand against targeted attacks that look to go past the lock screen. These attacks follow a sequence and try to go pass through the passcode by starting from four-zeros all the way through to four-nines. This process can take minutes to hours, but the new six-digit code will push that into the day’s range. From Apple’s website: “The passcodes you use on your Touch ID-enabled iPhone and iPad will now have six digits instead of four. If you use Touch ID, it’s a change you’ll hardly notice. But with one million possible combinations — instead of 10,000 — your passcode will be a lot tougher to crack.” Hackers are known to have the tools that lets them to strongly force their way into iPhones and iPads, but those same tools are in the hands of federal agencies that are compelled to use similar tactics. iOS 8 run devices are capable of device encoding authorized by the passcode. Rather than the company, the encoding keys are actually put in the hands of Apple’s customers. The change was a reply to accusations in part though that the company was associated in unethical activity in the PRISM surveillance program, a claim that is vehemently denied by them. By handing over the control of device’s data to the user has caused an extreme strong reaction of anger among the intelligence and law enforcement community, while NSA has already condemned Apple for the same. However, without any legal action, Apple customers will continue to be some of the most protected users as of today. Besides the change in passcode, the tech giant has also announced an update to its software for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch – the iOS 9. iOS 9 brags about new features and includes more security and battery improvements in it. Below are the key features of the next iOS update:
