Elcomsoft’s Phone Breaker software, used by law enforcement agencies but also thought to have been used by iCloud hackers to access celebrity nudes, has been updated to support accounts using two-factor authentication, reports MacWorld. It can also now access WhatsApp message files and iWork documents.
It’s not as scary as it sounds – the software can only be used once the attacker already has an Apple ID and password, together with either a second trusted device or your recovery key. A phishing attack is the most common way to obtain these, so as long as you use strong, unique passwords and don’t click on links in emails claiming to be from Apple, you should be safe. But it does allow users of the software to download either entire iPhone backups or selected data direct from iCloud much more easily than having to go through a compromised device by hand.
The more security-conscious will, though, want to heed Apple’s advice not to store your account recovery code on any of your devices: the software can automatically scan both your Mac and any external drives for these.
If you don’t yet have a recovery code for your Apple ID, do get one: even an unsuccessful hack attempt can lock you out of your account, and without a recovery key, there’s no way back in.
Via Engadget
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“the software can only be used once the attacker already has an Apple ID and password, together with either a second trusted device or your recovery key.”
pardon my ignorance but… isn’t this also called “logging in?”
The difference is the software allows you to download either entire device backups, or specified information. It’s much, much faster than trying to access it manually.
ah okay. so it’s what the software does when you have all the authentication information in your possession that matters.
Yep – I’ve added a few extra words to clarify this.
The Divine Secure Enclave on the Mystical A8x Processor… the final frontier.