One of the most common reasons why people choose an iPhone over an Android phone is the security of the iOS operating system. While Apple does a great job of releasing security updates regularly, and it’s true that iOS is less susceptible to being compromised than Android, you still need to do a bit of work to get the most out of your iPhone’s security features.
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People with iPhones (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
10 Essential Security Tips to Protect Your iPhone from Digital Threats
Here are 10 clever tips to help you get the most out of your iPhone. Let’s dive right in.
Tip 1 – Make sure your iPhone is up to date
To keep any device safe, especially an iPhone, you first need to make sure the software is up to date. New software updates for iOS are released regularly to improve your phone’s performance, fix bugs, and strengthen security.
It’s important to install new iOS updates as soon as possible. Hackers are always looking for new ways to exploit iOS, and Apple’s programmers are fighting them with new updates. Here’s an easy way to install iOS updates:
- open setting Apps
- Scroll down and tap general
- Tap Software updates
- If there is a new update, tap Update now
Steps to update your iPhone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
- In this situation, Automatic updating Check the section iOS Updates and Security Response and System Files switching upon.
How to Automatically Install iPhone Updates (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
How to protect your iPhone and iPad from malware
Tip #2 – Set up 2FA (two-factor authentication)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an easy way to ensure that only you can access your iPhone. With 2FA enabled, even if someone gets hold of your Apple ID and password, they’ll be notified when you try to log in. Here’s how to set up 2FA for your Apple ID:
- open setting Apps
- Tap Apple ID Top of screen
- Go to Sign-in and security
- Tap Enable two-factor authentication
- select Continue
- Follow the instructions Here’s how to set up 2FA on your iPhone.
Steps to set up 2FA on your iPhone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Once 2FA is set up, the next time you try to log in to your Apple ID on another device or from the web, your iPhone will display a notification asking you to grant access and enter a six-digit code to complete the login.
How to avoid phishing scams and protect your iPhone
Tip 3 – Turn off Web Access to your iCloud Data
Your iCloud data is accessible from any web browser and device. This means that even if you’re using a Windows laptop, you can log into your Apple ID and access all of your stored iCloud data. While this may be convenient for some users, overall, having access to iCloud is very dangerous. Thankfully, it’s easy to turn it off. Here’s how:
- go to setting Apps
- open Apple ID Top of screen
- select iCloud
- Scroll down to disable Access your iCloud data on the web By switching off (It will change from green to gray)
- Then scroll down and tap Do not access
Steps to turn off iCloud data on iPhone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
If you need to access your iCloud data on the web, you can repeat these steps to turn iCloud data back on.
The perfect accessory for your cell phone
Tip #4 – Lock Private Safari Tabs with Face ID
Another easy way to protect your personal data is to lock down Private Browsing with Face ID on your iPhone (or Touch ID on older iPhone models). This way, only you can access your private browsing activity. To turn it on: Requires iOS 17 or laterHere’s how to turn it on:
- open setting Apps
- Scroll down Safari (or your preferred browser)
- Scroll Down Privacy and SecurityTo enable Face ID required to unlock private browsing
Steps to lock private Safari tabs (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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Tip #5 – Control what’s accessible from the lock screen
The iPhone lock screen has a variety of features that make the user experience more streamlined, but it also means that someone can pick up your iPhone, look at the Today View, and see all of your personal information in the widgets.
To prevent this from happening, your iPhone lets you easily manage what you can see directly from your Lock screen. Here’s how to change what you can see from your Lock screen:
- open Settings app
- Scroll down and tap Face unlock and passcode
- Please enter your passcode
- Scroll down Allow access when locked
- from here, To disable What you don’t want to see on the lock screen
Steps to control what you can access from your iPhone’s lock screen (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Tip 6 – Choose what you can use Face ID for
Apple makes it easy to change what you can do with Face ID to keep your data private. By default, you can use Face ID to make purchases with Apple Pay, download apps, and autofill passwords. However, this also means that if someone cracks the Face ID feature, they could potentially do all of this without you knowing. To change this, follow these steps:
- open setting Apps
- Scroll down Face unlock and passcode
- Please enter your passcode
- under To use Face ID, At the apex, To disable All the things you don’t want to use Face ID for.
Steps to choose what you can use Face ID for (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Tip #7 – Create a stronger passcode
With so many of us now using Face ID or Touch ID to unlock our iPhones, it’s no wonder we don’t give much thought to the passcode we rarely use.
But the weaker your passcode, the easier it is for someone to break into your iPhone. Luckily, you can create a password that’s even stronger than a simple six-digit code. Here’s how:
- open setting Apps
- Scroll down Face unlock and passcode
- Please enter your passcode
- Scroll down and tap Change passcode
- Please enter your Current passcode
- Before you enter a new passcode, Passcode Options It’s at the bottom.
- Choose your passcode strength
- Enter a new passcode
This makes your passcode harder to crack, but if you forget the passcode you used, you have up to 72 hours to reset a new one using your previous passcode.
Continued: I’m a tech professional and I’m still amazed at how hackers steal passwords
Tip #8 – Keep AirDrop Off
AirDrop is a great way to instantly transfer files with people nearby, especially when you’re on vacation and want to exchange photos with friends and family. However, having it on all the time can mean that unwanted people are sending you files and photos.
Using AirDrop can leave your iPhone vulnerable to hackers, who can use it to gather more information about your iPhone. Admittedly, this is very difficult, but you should keep AirDrop turned off when you’re not using it.
Here’s how to disable AirDrop:
- open Control Center
- Press and hold Wifi Click the button in the upper left corner.
Screen showing Wi-Fi button (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
- Tap Airdrop
- select Reception off
Screen showing reception off on iPhone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Tip #9 – Get iCloud+
If you’re willing to invest a small amount each month, Apple’s iCloud+ service is a great option that has seen significant improvements in recent years. There are many benefits to subscribing to iCloud+ that make it worth considering.
iCloud+ is an enhanced version of the previous iCloud service. Not only does it provide you with additional cloud storage space, but it also offers a range of security features that can significantly improve your online safety and privacy.
One of these features is iCloud Private RelayIf you use Safari to browse the internet, this feature hides your IP address and browsing activity from prying eyes, and also protects your unencrypted internet traffic, providing an extra layer of protection.
Another notable feature is Hide emailAs the name suggests, this feature allows you to create unique, randomly generated email addresses that you can use when signing up to websites or platforms. The great thing about this feature is that messages sent to these addresses will be received in your personal inbox, but websites or other individuals will not have access to your real email address.
iCloud+ has many more features, and the best part is that you get all these benefits for just $0.99 per month – a small price to pay for the convenience, security, and peace of mind that iCloud+ offers.
Tip #10 – Start using a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a great and easy way to keep your iPhone safe at all times, especially if you frequently use public Wi-Fi networks.
A VPN automatically hides your IP address, making it harder for companies and individuals to track you, and it also lets you choose a server in a different country, making it appear as if you’re somewhere else. Read our expert reviews of the best VPNs to browse the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Important points about the cart
In today’s digital age, keeping your iPhone secure is more important than ever. By following these 10 smart tips, you can significantly increase the security of your device and protect your personal information from potential threats.
Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version, enable two-factor authentication, and be careful about what you share from your lock screen. Additionally, consider investing in iCloud+ for its advanced security features and using a reputable VPN such as ExpressVPN to protect your online activity.
By implementing these measures, you can take proactive steps to maintain the integrity of your iPhone and your sensitive data. While no security system is perfect, these tips can help you stay one step ahead of potential hackers and enjoy a safer, more private iPhone experience.
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