VOA科学技术2024--Apple Releases New Stolen Device Protection

Apple Releases New Stolen Device Protection

　　Imagine that you are in a crowded place. You do not notice, but someone is watching you and learns your iPhone passcode. Then, they steal your phone. Suddenly, your photos, documents, financial information, and the rest of your digital life have been taken from you.

　　A new security feature may prevent such a situation from happening. Apple, the iPhone maker¹, recently released an update to its iOS operating system. It has a new feature called Stolen Device Protection. The feature makes it a lot harder for phone thieves to open the device and access important functions and settings.

　　The company is urging users to turn this feature on immediately. Here is how to turn on the new security feature and why it is so important to do so.

　　Should I turn on Stolen Device Protection?

　　Stolen Device Protection is a new setting that is included with the latest iOS release, version 17.3. The update for iPhones and iPads includes a new feature designed to prevent thieves from wiping phones for resale or getting to your Apple ID or other important accounts.

　　Apple says the feature adds extra security for users. It addresses a vulnerability that thieves have used to lock device owners out of their Apple accounts, delete their photos and other files from their iCloud, and take money from their bank accounts.

　　How does it work?

　　Stolen Device Protection keeps track of a user's "familiar locations," such as their home or workplace. The feature adds extra biometric security if someone tries to use the device to do certain things away from those places.

　　It also reduces the importance of passcodes. Instead, it favors "biometric" features such as faces or fingerprints³, which are a lot harder to copy.

　　If a thief tries to erase⁴ or reset⁵ an iPhone, the device will require a Face ID or Touch ID scan to confirm that the person is the rightful owner. The new feature does not let someone use the passcode or any other backup method.

　　Another part of the new feature is designed to slow down thieves trying to change security settings. For example, if someone tries to sign out of an Apple ID account, change the passcode or reset the phone in an unfamiliar⁶ location, they will have to authenticate⁷ using Face ID or Touch ID, wait an hour, and then do a second facial or fingerprint² scan.

　　Changing an Apple ID password, updating Apple ID security settings, adding or removing Face or Touch ID, and turning off the Find My device feature or Stolen Device Protection also will trigger this feature.

　　Apple said the delay is meant to prevent a thief from performing these operations so you can mark your device as lost and secure your Apple account.

　　The company added that, "When your iPhone is in a familiar location, these additional steps will not be required and you can use your device passcode like normal."

　　How do I turn it on?

　　First, download and update your iPhone or iPad with the latest iOS update. The update works for iPhone XS and newer models, including second- and third-generation SE models.

　　Then go to your settings, scroll⁸ down to "Face ID & Passcode" or "Touch ID & Passcode" and enter your passcode. Scroll down and you'll see Stolen Device Protection.

　　Make sure you have turned on two-factor authentication⁹ and Find My device for your Apple ID account. Otherwise, it will not show up.

　　Words in This Story

　　thief - n. a person who steals something

　　access - v. to be able to enter or get into something

　　wipe - v. to completely remove something

　　vulnerability - n. the condition of easily open to attack, hurt or damage

　　delete - v. to remove

　　keep track - v. to be aware of what someone is doing

　　erase - v. to remove something from a digital device

　　location - n. place or position

　　authenticate - v. to prove that something is real

　　trigger - v. to cause something else to happen

1 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

2 fingerprint   

n.指纹；vt.取...的指纹

参考例句：

• The fingerprint expert was asked to testify at the trial.指纹专家应邀出庭作证。
• The court heard evidence from a fingerprint expert.法院听取了指纹专家的证词。

3 fingerprints   

n.指纹( fingerprint的名词复数 )v.指纹( fingerprint的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Everyone's fingerprints are unique. 每个人的指纹都是独一无二的。
• They wore gloves so as not to leave any fingerprints behind (them). 他们戴着手套，以免留下指纹。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 erase   

v.擦掉；消除某事物的痕迹

参考例句：

• He tried to erase the idea from his mind.他试图从头脑中抹掉这个想法。
• Please erase my name from the list.请把我的名字从名单上擦去。

5 reset   

v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物

参考例句：

• As soon as you arrive at your destination,step out of the aircraft and reset your wristwatch.你一到达目的地，就走出飞机并重新设置手表时间。
• He is recovering from an operation to reset his arm.他做了一个手臂复位手术，正在恢复。

6 unfamiliar   

adj.陌生的，不熟悉的

参考例句：

• I am unfamiliar with the place and the people here.我在这儿人地生疏。
• The man seemed unfamiliar to me.这人很面生。

7 authenticate   

vt.证明…为真，鉴定

参考例句：

• We would have to authenticate your relationship with the boy.我们必须证实一下您和那个孩子的关系。
• An expert was needed to authenticate the original Van Gogh painting from his imitation.这幅画是凡·高的真迹还是赝品,需由专家来鉴定。

8 scroll   

n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡

参考例句：

• As I opened the scroll,a panorama of the Yellow River unfolded.我打开卷轴时，黄河的景象展现在眼前。
• He was presented with a scroll commemorating his achievements.他被授予一幅卷轴，以表彰其所做出的成就。

9 authentication   

鉴定，认证

参考例句：

• Computer security technology includes mainly:Authentication,Encryption,Access Control,Auditing and so on.计算机网络安全技术主要有: 认证授权、数据加密、访问控制、安全审计等。