7 Critical Tips for Security On iPhone

iphone-security

Last updated on August 11th, 2024 at 10:43 am

iPhones have consistently maintained a reputation for being secure, even leading up to trouble with key law enforcement agencies like the FBI, for Apple’s refusal to provide data. iPhones constitute the first choice of users who place a high priority on their privacy. However, using an iPhone does not guarantee ultimate security and the elimination of vulnerabilities.

Even though Apple’s hardware gets new updates every year, enhancing its security with new features, all of it can fall apart if you are not exercising caution and have poor cybersecurity habits.

The following seven tips can go a long way towards making your iPhone truly impenetrable – a digital vault that safeguards all your data.

Security Tips for iPhone

Use a lengthy password

Most people set up a four-digit or a six-digit PIN to maximize the security of their phones. It may give the illusion of adequately acceptable protection, since what could go wrong possibly? The chances of an intruder guessing correctly in the first ten attempts are incredibly low, and there are 10,000 combinations.

However, you need to realize that not all attacks involve endlessly poking at numbers into the screen. A lot of devices exist for the sole purpose of retrying the PINs for an unlimited number of times, taking full advantage of the present vulnerabilities. For instance, a GrayKey device can crack a four-digit PIN in an hour or two, while a six-digit one in three days.

If there’s one cybersecurity strategy that all experts unanimously agree on, it’s that when it comes to passwords: the longer, the better. Ideally, you should be using a lengthier alphanumeric password instead of a PIN code.  Each additional character increases the time required to break the password.

To add a longer password, you can open the Settings app, go to Touch ID & Passcode, enter your current PIN, tap Change Passcode on the ensuing screen. Now, enter your passcode again but rather than entering a different passcode, tap Passcode Options. You will now get the option of choosing a unique code with alphanumeric characters.

Secure your Apple Phone with 2Factor Authentication

The two-factor authentication, otherwise known as 2FA, is a state-of-the-art security method, which gives you an additional layer of protection through a one-time-only code. An attacker cannot access your account without having both – your password and the OTP.

Your Apple ID holds all your secrets – it is linked to all devices you own, the iCloud account and its passwords, and probably your credit card information too. Therefore, it’s a good idea to use two-factor authentications.

Apple offers 2FA on Apple ID, and we highly recommend you take advantage of it. It means you will need to go through two security checkpoints when accessing your iPhone; both your password and a six-digit code sent to a trusted device before you log in to your device. 2FA makes it incredibly difficult for a hacker to access your Apple ID and the trove of crucial data it hosts.

Keep Upgrading your iPhone

We can’t stress enough the importance of keeping all your apps up to date for staying secure. iOS goes through frequent updates to fix any vulnerabilities that could help hackers and cybercriminals from attacking your device. Some of these could be minor, while others are significant issues.

Recently, there was news about China’s endeavor to infect the phones of Uyghur people by taking advantage of iOS vulnerabilities. Most of these vulnerabilities had been fixed by Apple already, but since many of the victims had yet to update their phones, these vulnerabilities still existed.

Use a VPN when on Public WI-FI

Public Wi-Fi can prove to be a big nuisance since anyone present on the same network can see the unencrypted transmission of data, and an untrustworthy system can set you up for malicious attacks including, but not limited to phishing. For instance, if you try to log on to your bank’s site, thinking of it to be the official one, it might not be the real one. It could be a malicious site made to look like the original one by the hackers within the Wi-Fi network.

A solution is to resort to cellular data whenever you are moving about or travelling, but that is not a practical solution given that data caps and high charges on cell data plans. However, a viable solution is to use a VPN  for iPhone. Using a good VPN can alleviate all troubles associated with public Wi-Fi. A VPN creates an encrypted connection, enabling your traffic to pass through different locations worldwide, rather than the one where you are currently present.

There are a lot of insecure or untrustworthy VPNs available across the Internet. It would beat the purpose of your VPN is logging your data or otherwise does not have the best possible 256 – bit encryption available. Therefore, you must choose the right VPN for the job after careful consideration and research.

Make it a thumb rule to follow a series of steps. Figure out the purpose you need the VPN for, assess each VPNs feature, check which devices are compatible, find a VPN with a user-friendly interface, ensure that the VPN covers important locations worldwide, and has the robust 256 – bit encryption.

Rely on Additional Encryption

The encryption that comes with the iPhone is one of the best in the world, but it’s certainly not perfect. So long as there is even a little chance of cracking the passcode, or getting access to the unencrypted backups, your data is under threat. For your sensitive data such as passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers, etc., you will need additional encryption.

Using a password manager that has encryption of its own can be exceptionally helpful. A trustworthy password manager that can store a vault in iCloud and is encrypted independently means that an attacker searching for your passwords would need to first break into your phone or iCloud account to access the vault.

Moreover, Apple’s very own Notes app also allows you to create encrypted notes, that you can secure with a unique and robust password of your choosing.

Inspect privacy settings routinely

When you install apps on your iPhone, knowingly or unknowingly, you grant many permissions for access – the camera, microphone, contacts, and location being some of them. It’s best if you keep track of which permits you are giving to the apps and revoke any of the ones you don’t need anymore. For instance, if you used Instagram to post a photo once but don’t use it regularly, it’s a good idea to remove its right to look at your pictures through the Instagram app.

Go to Settings > Privacy, access the master list of all permissions, and the apps that have those permissions. Go through all these permissions one-by-one and revoke any permissions granted to unused apps.

Be Wary of Scams

iPhone offers a lot of protection but none against scam phone calls, emails, or text messages. Always be careful when dealing with messages coming from unknown senders. You must treat any links that you receive via text messages with doubt.

If you visit a site through a relationship and the site wants you to log in or provide information of a personal nature, confirm the authenticity of the sender. If it’s a site you are already familiar with, do consider visiting it through an already saved bookmark.

The Most Secure Phone

It is quite alright if you are comfortable using an iPhone and feel a sense of safety with it; so do millions of others. iPhones are some of the safest smartphones in the world right now. However, as we have given numerous examples here, there are several ways that you can fall prey to cybercrime.

Therefore, its idiotic to consider yourself safe by default, only out of being an iPhone owner. Taking all precautions and being cautious is the key to maintaining the maximum security on your phone.

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Popular Post

Recent Post

How to Update Display Driver on Windows 11/10 [Easiest Ways]

By TechCommuters / April 18, 2025

You might already be aware that between your graphics card and Windows OS, your display driver serves as an essential channel for communication. A driver that is out of date or corrupt can cause several annoying problems, ranging from slow performance and visual abnormalities to complete system instability. Maintaining the most recent versions of your […]

How to Keep Your Dell Drivers Updated on Windows 11/10 [2025]

By TechCommuters / April 15, 2025

Drivers serve as a conduit between the operating system and the hardware of your machine. Your Dell device may experience connectivity issues, performance problems, or even system failures if its drivers are out of date. Updating your Dell drivers improves system security, avoids problems, and guarantees hardware compatibility. Older drivers could be the cause of […]

How to Update Graphics Driver on Windows 11/10 [2025 Guide]

By TechCommuters / April 12, 2025

For the best PC performance, especially when gaming, graphic design, and video editing, you must keep your graphics drivers up to date. System instability, decreased speed, and incompatibilities with new apps can all be caused by outdated GPU drivers. Understanding how to update graphics drivers on your Windows 10 or 11 computer is essential, regardless […]

Driver Pack Solution: Complete Review (Unbiased & Updated)

By TechCommuters / April 6, 2025

Keeping drivers updated is essential for the best possible PC performance. But finding and installing drivers by yourself might be a difficult undertaking. Here comes Driver Pack Solution, a well-liked program made to automate this procedure. Is it trustworthy, though? We’ll go over all you need to know about Driver Pack Solution in this in-depth […]

Ultimate Windows Tweaker: A Complete Guide to Customizing Windows

By TechCommuters / April 2, 2025

Cover Image Source: chip.de Windows users frequently find themselves wishing they could change specific settings and customize the overall look and feel of their operating system. However, a lot of advanced settings aren’t available in the default Control Panel or Settings app. Additionally, accessing several helpful configuration settings demands users to go through registry editor […]

What is DDU? Your Complete Guide to Use Display Driver Uninstaller (2025)

By TechCommuters / March 29, 2025

Have you ever experienced ongoing graphics issues, driver problems, or just want to start over with your GPU drivers? Your strong ally is Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU). This utility completely removes any traces of outdated drivers that might be causing instability, going above and beyond simple uninstallation. Well, using a solid tool for removing GPU […]

16 Best Budget Laptops Reviewed Under $1000, $500, $400, $300 [2025]

By TechCommuters / March 25, 2025

Looking for a new laptop but don’t want to empty your wallet? You’re in the right place! These days, budget laptops have become incredibly capable, offering features and performance that you would have only dreamed of a few years ago. Whether your budget is under $1000, $500, $400, or even $300, there’s a perfect laptop […]

How To Enable or Disable Recall on Windows 11 [2025]

By TechCommuters / March 22, 2025

Recall is a feature in Windows 11 that helps users store and retrieve data quickly. It can be incredibly useful for managing information efficiently. When you enable Recall on Windows 11, you can keep your important data at your fingertips. However, there might be times when you need to disable Recall on Windows 11 for […]

Comprehensive Review of the Picsart Background Remover Tool (2025)

By TechCommuters / March 21, 2025

Cover Image Source: picsart The ability to remove backgrounds from photographs with ease has become essential in today’s visually driven environment. A trustworthy background removal tool is essential for anyone who wants to display their products on a white background, whether they are an e-commerce business owner, a social media enthusiast, or a designer creating […]

Picsart AI Background Review 2025: Perform Effortless Photo Editing with AI Magic

By TechCommuters / March 20, 2025

Do you often need to replace a boring background with something striking? Or perhaps sometimes you wish to have your product photos with a crisp & professional look? Well, that’s what Picsart’s AI Background features claim to accomplish. To be honest, today one of the most important skills is the ability to swiftly and efficiently […]