Apple explains why iOS 10 kernel was intentionally left open

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iPhone SE
iOS 10 on an iPhone SE.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has explained why it released its first iOS 10 beta with an unencrypted kernel. Some security experts suggested the move may have been unintentional, but it was part of Apple’s plan all along.

The kernel baked into iOS, like any kernel, marries software with hardware. It’s the core of the operating system, and it’s responsible for managing security, memory, system processes, and requests from installed apps.

It was revealed on Wednesday that iOS 10 beta 1 was released with an unencrypted kernel, which makes getting into it infinitely easier. There’s a good reason for this, Apple says — and it does not leave users exposed.

“The kernel cache doesn’t contain any user info, and by unencrypting it we’re able to optimize the operating system’s performance without compromising security,” a company spokesperson explained to TechCrunch.

All previous releases of iOS — including the betas — have shipped with encrypted kernels, preventing third-parties from getting into them. This has helped keep Apple’s code a secret, and made it harder to find flaws that could be exploited.

But by making those flaws easier to find during the beta testing phase, Apple can fix them faster. That means that by the time iOS 10 makes its public debut in September, it should be even more secure, and even harder to hack.

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