Apple Gives iPhone 17 Built-in Shield Against Hackers

Apple’s all new iPhone 17 is introducing a major security enhancement aimed directly at crypto users, making signing operations safer against some of the most common and dangerous forms of attack.

With the rise in zero-day exploits targeting digital wallets, Apple’s latest upgrade is designed to provide hardware-level protection where it matters most. At the core of this new defense is Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), a system enabled by default that uses Enhanced Memory Tagging Extension (EMTE)-style technology.

By tagging memory operations, MIE detects and blocks risky access patterns such as out-of-bounds errors and use-after-free vulnerabilities.

Blockchain security firm Hacken praised the update, saying the system “meaningfully” reduces the risk of attackers hijacking signing code.

“It’s a real plus for crypto users, especially high-net-worth or frequent signers.”

These vulnerabilities account for nearly 70% of all software flaws and are often exploited in zero-day attacks against wallets and Passkey approvals. By addressing them directly at the hardware level, Apple is significantly raising the barrier for attackers.

Apple’s New Software Provides Strong Defence,But its Not A Silver Bullet

According to Hacken, MIE actively detects and blocks dangerous memory access types, disrupting common exploit chains. Because it runs across both kernel and user-level processes, it makes spyware development far more complex and expensive.

“It raises the bar for attackers and makes targeted spyware or exploit development much harder and more expensive. That directly benefits wallet apps and Passkey flows that rely on in-process operations."

However, MIE is not a silver bullet, as it not immune to phishing, malicious web content, social engineering, or compromised apps. Nor does it replace the need for secure hardware wallets or ongoing user caution.

Hacken warned, reminding users to remain vigilant as new vulnerabilities continue to emerge, saying

“Security improvements reduce overall risk but don’t make devices invulnerable.”

Apple's Crypto Users Faces Security Threats

Apple’s security push comes at a time of heightened threats for its crypto-focused users. Just last month, researchers revealed a zero-click exploit that allowed attackers to compromise iPhones, iPads, and Macs without user interaction. Apple quickly issued security patches across multiple OS versions to fix the flaw.

Earlier in the year, Kaspersky flagged malicious software development kits embedded in apps on both the App Store and Google Play. These SDKs were discovered to be scanning users’ photo galleries for crypto wallet recovery phrases — underscoring how attackers continue to evolve their tactics.

With iPhone 17, Apple is reinforcing its reputation for device security while addressing one of the most pressing vulnerabilities for the digital asset community.

For frequent signers and high-value wallet holders, the new protections could mark a decisive step forward in keeping crypto transactions safe.