iOS 14 iCloud Keychain to Warn Users When Passwords Have Been Leaked, More

Users upgrading to iOS 14 will be able to benefit from stronger password protection than ever before.

According to a new report from 9to5Mac, the latest iteration of Apple’s mobile software will include an upgraded system to ensure passwords stay protected, as well as a load of new suggestions and tools to help stop leaks.

Once the upgrade has been released, Keychain will highlight passwords you’ve stored that may put your online accounts at risk. That includes credentials that are easy to guess or have been leaked online by a major data breach.

Forming part of a new “Security Recommendations” menu, iCloud Keychain will also be able to send alerts concerning whether a user’s passwords have been leaked in a data breach. This allows users to quickly change their account details on the affected site in order to stay safe from any potential cybercrime risk.

Apple says it is able to offer this service, which is also included in macOS Big Sur, thanks to some clever tools within Safari. The company’s browser uses, “strong cryptographic techniques” to regularly check passwords and derivations against a list of breached passwords. This information is never revealed, even to Apple, the company says, with alerts then delivered directly to the user.

Here’s how Apple describes the feature, which is also available on macOS Big Sur:

Safari securely monitors your saved passwords, automatically keeping an eye out for passwords that may have been involved in a data breach. To do this, Safari uses strong cryptographic techniques to regularly check derivations of your passwords against a list of breached passwords in a secure and private way that doesn’t reveal your password information — even to Apple. If Safari discovers a breach, it can help you upgrade to Sign in with Apple when available, or automatically generate a new secure password.

Apple will release iOS 14 alongside macOS Big Sur later this year, likely in September. It’s currently available in developer beta form, with a new public beta likely to arrive this month.