Technology Updates: Apple’s new iPhone 17 makes signing safer for frequent crypto users

Source:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/iphone-17-memory-protection-boosts-crypto-security?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

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Apple’s newly launched iPhone 17 introduces Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), a security upgrade designed to protect frequent crypto users from sophisticated cyberattacks. The system, enabled by default, applies Enhanced Memory Tagging Extension (EMTE)-style protections that detect and block unsafe memory access, such as out-of-bounds and use-after-free errors. These vulnerabilities account for nearly 70% of software flaws and are a common entry point for zero-day exploits targeting crypto wallets and Passkey approvals.

Cybersecurity firm Hacken highlighted that MIE “meaningfully” reduces risks by preventing attackers from hijacking signing code. By applying protections across both kernel and user-level processes, the system makes spyware and exploit development more difficult and expensive. Hacken noted that the feature directly benefits crypto wallet apps and Passkey flows, particularly for high-net-worth individuals or frequent signers.

Still, Apple’s MIE is not a cure-all. It does not address phishing, social engineering, malicious websites, or compromised applications. Users are urged to remain vigilant, as MIE complements but does not replace secure hardware wallets or basic security hygiene.

The upgrade comes amid rising threats to Apple’s crypto community. Just last month, a zero-click exploit was discovered that could compromise iPhones, iPads, and Macs without user interaction, prompting Apple to issue emergency patches. Earlier this year, Kaspersky reported malicious SDKs in app stores scanning photo galleries for wallet recovery phrases, while Trust Wallet previously warned users to disable iMessage due to an active zero-day threat.

By raising the difficulty and cost of attacks, iPhone 17’s MIE significantly improves baseline defenses for crypto users, but experts caution that layered security and user awareness remain essential.