Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

We're talking about a device that is completely unsupported by its manufacturer. You already have no expectation of security or integrity when the last available OS and security update is over 5 years old by now.

Opening up access to install your own software would have great potential to increase the security of the device, not least because you can actually run current and patched versions of any software.

What you're arguing for is security by obscurity.



The unlocking mechanisms you proposed would have to be present in devices right from the start. Not just in devices that are unsupported.

Nobody is talking about security through obscurity. This is about not introducing easily explored weaknesses into all devices, supported or not.


If you have physical access to a device, you can already tap the memory bus or countless other places. Relying on a device itself to be secure when it is in your adversaries' hands is futile.

Open the hardware, use secure software and keep your storage encrypted, preferably on removable storage.


> If you have physical access to a device, you can already tap the memory bus or countless other places

This is complete bullshit.

iOS devices use an SOC so there is no way to ‘tap the memory bus’ without destroying the processor.

iOS decides do in fact resist access even when they are in the hands of an adversary.

Also it seems like you don’t know that the storage on iOS devices is already encrypted.


So an SoC-based device is simply impervious to physical attacks? That's impressive! The power of the RDF is still strong.


> So an SoC-based device is simply impervious to physical attacks?

This is a straw man - nobody said ‘impervious’.

You said this:

> If you have physical access to a device, you can already tap the memory bus or countless other places

It is complete bullshit.

If it wasn’t, you’d be able to post a link to someone doing it.


Backdoors into iPhones already exist, here's one that was used for a while, before Apple closed it: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/cat-mouse-fight-fix-e...

If you think that is the only way into an Apple device, and that police or even nation states are now helpless against the mighty "hack resistant" iPhone, then you may be interested in this bridge I happen to have for sale.


> Backdoors into iPhones already exist, here's one that was used for a while, before Apple closed it: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/cat-mouse-fight-fix-e...

I presume you know that isn’t an example of someone “tapping the memory bus”, which seems to be still just bullshit.

Yes, security flaws exist.

Generally we close them, not argue for abandoning security altogether as you are doing.

Police generally are helpless against the iPhone.

Nation states may well not be, but it is still going to cost them a lot.

Your argument - that because nation states can compromise the iPhone, we should make it so everyone can, seems very odd.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: