The documents leaked by Edward Snowden, suggested that, the Central Investigating Agency was trying to break the security system and encryption of Apple devices for years now. According to the documents which were leaked by the former National Security Agency contractor Snowden, for years CIA tried to crack the security keys used to encrypt personal data in iPhone and iPad.
It was reported on Tuesday that, CIA researchers were working for years to hack into Apple`s security through “physical” and “Non-Invasive” ways. It was also reported that their ultimate target was to have a successful access into the device`s firmware. It was said, by getting access to the device`s firmware CIA will be able to look into the users personal data.
It was previously reported that, the tech giants and other tech firms were accusing government intelligence agencies for using illegal means to collect consumer`s personal information. It was previously said that the government agencies are hacking into the corporate and consumer products to gain information. The companies were accursing the government intelligence agencies of violating the privacy of the users.
Matthew Green, a cryptography expert at John Hopkins University’s Information Security Institute said, “If US products are OK to target, that’s news to me”, then added, “Tearing apart the products of US manufacturers and potentially putting backdoors in software distributed by unknowing developers all seems to be going a bit beyond ‘targeting bad guys.’ It may be a means to an end, but it’s a hell of a means”.
It was also reported that, to gain access into Apple devices CIA researchers have developed a customized software known as Xcode. Xcode is a customized version of Apple`s own software development software. It was suggested that, through the Xcode undercover agents can get access to password and personal messages. It was also suggested that intelligence officers can even plant a surveillance software through Xcode.
But the report didn’t mention if CIA was successful in getting access to Apple`s firmware.
