Apple sends hacker-friendly iPhones to researchers, expects quick fix for vulnerabilities

Apple sent out notifications this week for shipping the first batch of iPhones to researchers.

Apple iPhone. (Unsplash)

Apple, the company that is usually known for keeping its iPhones, iPads and Mac devices safe from hackers, is sending out hacker-friendly iPhones to security researchers. Back in July, the company said it is making this ‘special' iPhone that consumers won't be able to buy. And this week, these iPhones have started shipping out.

It has been mentioned that the iPhones, which we consumers buy, has the more locked-down version of iOS. This makes it difficult for hackers to install malicious software. However, the hacker-friendly iPhones that is being given to researchers, doesn't have a locked-down version of iOS. This is being given to researchers as Apple realized that locked iOS might be difficult for them to analyse and discover security holes.

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As mentioned by Macrumors website, Apple sent out notifications this week for shipping the first batch of iPhones to researchers. Also, these hacker friendly iPhones are on loan from Apple for 12 months. But Apple can increase the time if it wants to. 

Needless to say, by handing out these hacker-friendly iPhones, the company expects to discover nearly all the existing vulnerabilities and fix them promptly. Researchers are incentivized as Apple runs a bug bounty program with payout awarded to whosoever discovers the security flaw first.

The amount of the award depends on how serious the vulnerability is, with the top payout going up to $1.5 million (approximately ₹11 crores). And since the company is clear that these hacker-friendly iPhones are not meant to be used like a normal iPhone, you won't see them anywhere to buy.