On Mon, 7 Jan 2019 14:50:47 -0500 Steve Kinney <admin@pilobilus.net> wrote:
I would describe that episode as a publicity stunt cooked up by the FBI and DoD contractor Apple. If I recall correctly, Apple claimed it "could not" unlock the device in question; but after public attention started to die down, a 3rd party forensics shop did unlock it.
Meanwhile, back in the network security world, Declan Mccullagh reported:
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-deluged-by-police-demands-to-decrypt-iphones...
"ATF says no law enforcement agency could unlock a defendant's iPhone, but Apple can 'bypass the security software' if it chooses. Apple has created a police waiting list because of high demand."
plus https://www.yahoo.com/news/iphone-security-six-digit-pass-153539020.html "apple shitPhones protected by a six-digit pass code 'may' no longer be safe thanks to a cheap tool being marketed to police that can unlock a smartphone in just days." https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-ios-passcode-crack-revealed-234705097.h... "A shitPhone can be unlocked with a virtual keyboard pretending to type lots of passcodes, a security researcher revealed Friday"
:o)