Apple is known for its secure, high-quality software. While the iPhone is more secure than others on the market, there’s no such thing as a device that’s completely invulnerable to attacks. When you’re securing a larger electronic device like a PC or laptop, the focus is typically on using tools like encryption and antivirus software. However, with an iPhone, the most typical security threat is typically physical theft. So, how do you make sure that your personal data and private information won’t be seen or stolen should your iPhone fall into the wrong hands? Read on to find out.
Non-Fixed Length PIN, Touch ID and Face ID
Apple comes with a few ways to keep your phone secure right off the bat. Using Face ID or Touch ID to unlock the phone is the best way to ensure that you’re the only one who can open it. Once inside, however, you should set a non-fixed length PIN. The PIN is used to unlock the phone after it reboots or in case your Face or Touch ID fails. It also keeps all your phone’s data encrypted. If you set the standard 4- or 6-digit PIN, there are a limited number of possibilities that hackers can use to determine and figure out. However, if you set a custom numeric code, you’ll be the only one who knows how long it is, so the possibilities of determining the code are literally infinite.
Disable Siri
Siri will respond to anyone who talks to her. Various security issues with Siri have been found in the past in which a stranger would be able to access personal data like your contact list or even your photo gallery. Moreover, your personal information can be leaked to third-parties through Siri, so you may end up seeing a bunch of advertisements and getting messages for things you talk about. If you want the best security for your phone, disable Siri completely.
Use a VPN to Browse the Internet
Whether you’re shopping at home or using the internet on the go, you can be sure that your system is protected from cyber-attacks and online theft when you use a VPN for iOS. A Virtual Private Network keeps your data encrypted and masks your IP address so that your data is completely protected. Even your ISP and the government can’t track your activity if you use a VPN.
Don’t Jailbreak the Phone
Jailbreaking an iPhone makes certain features more accessible, but it also means that you’re bypassing all Apple security systems. As soon as you jailbreak your iPhone, you essentially lose control over what can happen inside of it, leaving it vulnerable to cyber-attacks, data leaks, and a host of other issues.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication for iCloud
Most people use iCloud for backups and extra storage. If you’re one of them, it’s important to keep the data you store in iCloud super-secure by enabling two-factor authentication. This way, even if someone manages to log in to your phone and knows your password, they’ll need to input a secret 6-digit code that’s automatically generated and changes each time you log in.
Following the tips above will help keep your data secure and your phone protected. By using these tools and features, you can rest assured that your iPhone will be safe from cyber-attacks as well as physical theft.