Regarding Protect your iPhone, the good news is that iPhones are generally considered more secure than Androids. Are you ready for the bad news? In the ever-dangerous world of online threats, that difference is pretty marginal.
While it’s true that iPhone users might be less susceptible to malware, fraudsters are still immensely interested in getting their hands on your data. And this is where you need to be on your guard.
Protect your iPhone by following these essential cybersecurity tips.
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1. Keep iOS and Apps Up to Date to Protect your iPhone
Contrary to common belief, iOS gets hacked quite often. This happens because fraudsters can discover coding vulnerabilities that give them access to your data. Fortunately, Apple is pretty vigilant and responds quickly to such security incidents.
One way of fighting such vulnerabilities is releasing updates with patches to fix these flaws (and, as a bonus, you sometimes get other enhancements).
Make sure you have auto-updates enabled. Still, you may need to occasionally initiate an update on your own if Apple issues an urgent warning. Don’t wait, because every time you do, you leave yourself exposed to danger. The same applies to vital app updates.
2. Guard Your Internet Connection
Regardless of whether you use Apple, Android, macOS, or Windows, connectivity is your biggest area of danger. Internet connectivity is a two-way street: the same networking that connects your device to the internet also puts you at risk of getting hacked or having somebody snoop on your data.
The easiest and most effective way to stay safe is by using a VPN. VPNs create encryption tunnels that not only conceal your IP address but also safeguard your connection. There are tons of great options out there. You can read a NordVPN review along with reviews of other major VPN services to determine which is the best fit for your needs.
3. Set a Device Passcode/Biometric Authentication
You should do everything you can to protect yourself online. But if you don’t have a passcode on your device, you might be inviting fraudsters to steal your data.
It only takes a few seconds of misplacing your iPhone for somebody to install tracking apps or read something they shouldn’t. Rather than a 4-digit code, opt for something longer. You can also enable FaceID or TouchID. This will require a pin code or scan immediately after you close your phone screen.
For even more security, activate the “Erase Data” option. Should somebody try to enter a password incorrectly 10 times, it will automatically delete all data on the device. Just make sure you have iCloud backups turned on. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing anything important.
4. Protect by Enabling Find My iPhone
Find My iPhone has been such a success that Apple has now extended it to MacBooks and other products. It’s a good option because it will tell you where your device is in case you lose it. It’s also become incredibly accurate over the last few years.
But the catch is you have to make sure it’s turned on first, so turn it on now. The coolest thing about the feature is that, if your device runs out of power, it will report the last known location that can Protect the iPhone.
While you’re at it, you can enable a few other features, like a message with your contact info along with an iPhone lock. Even if hackers wipe your phone, they won’t be able to activate it without the former password.
5. Secure Your Apple Account
Your Apple account is really the master key. As important as your phone is to you, it’s only temporary. The Apple ID is what unlocks all your connected devices and data.
While iCloud itself is quite secure, hacks occur because of weak passwords. Start off by creating a lengthy, complex, and unique password for your Apple ID. Also, turn on two-factor authentication. This will provide you with an additional layer of security.
Bonus: Restrict Apps
Apps can get access to a lot of data. This is not only dangerous but also unnecessary. That’s why you need to restrict app permissions. For example, there is no reason for most apps to ever have access to your location. And if they really need it, they should only access it when you have the app open.
The same goes for your contact information, and especially your clipboard data. Clipboard data is anything you copy/paste, which can include passwords. Restrict this feature as much as possible.
Keep Your iPhone Safe
The number of threats to your iPhone is nearly infinite. Fortunately, protecting it is relatively simple. Stay updated, use a VPN, protect your device, and you’ll ensure your safety against virtually any threat.