7 iPhone Security Tips to Make Your Phone More Secure
The days when we thought that Apple devices were safe from hacks and malware are long gone. In some cases, one might say that iPhone safety is a myth. However, we have to remember that device security always goes both ways. It means that the vendor has to provide security features that can ensure our devices are safe. And users have to employ those features to protect their devices and their personal information. If you are an avid iPhone user and you are concerned about iPhone security, you’ve opened the right page. We will give the security tips for iPhone users you can apply today.
Table of Contents
iOS Updates
Your operating system updates can be considered a security feature provided by the vendor. Of course, no one really thinks about updates like that, but trust us when we say that it is VITAL to keep your iOS updated. Updates are there to provide the newest fixes and patches. You can set the automatic update feature to make sure that your device downloads updates automatically, or you can check whether an iOS update is available through your Settings menu.
How to Update iOS
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap General and go to Software Update.
- Download and install the update if it is available.
iPhone Passcode
It is more than obvious that a passcode is a vital part of iPhone security. It’s what stops other people from accessing your device, and you are the only one who knows it. But what if you use a passcode that is easy to guess? Well, you can change the passcode settings by making it longer. Change it to a six-digit code. If you want a stronger passcode, switch to an alphanumeric code, and use an app that can help you generate it, to come up with a strong and unique passcode.
How to Change Passcode
- Go to the Settings app.
- Select Touch ID & Passcode.
- Tap Change Passcode and select Passcode options.
- Choose Custom Alphanumeric Code.
Multi-Factor Authentication
If you haven’t heard of multi-factor authentication yet, you probably don’t care about cybersecurity at all. Multi-factor or two-factor authentication is there to provide our devices with a stronger layer of security. Luckily, you can improve your iPhone security with this type of authentication, too. It allows you to protect your Apple ID from malicious exploitation across different devices. If you try to log in to your account from a different device, your iPhone will notify you about it and give you a verification code that you can use to verify your identity. No one else but you will be able to use your Apple ID.
How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap your name and choose Password & Security.
- Select Two-Factor Authentication.
Apple ID Passwords
When we talk about iPhone security, it’s not just about the device. We also want you to keep your accounts and your personal data safe. So it is important that your Apple ID doesn’t get hacked. For that, you need to change your passwords regularly. We do know how frustrating and annoying it is to create new passwords regularly. However, you can approach this task from another angle. You can employ an iOS-compatible password manager that will notify you when you need to renew your passwords, and it will help you generate new ones, too.
How to Change Apple ID Password
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap your name and choose Password & Security.
- Select Change Password.
Unknown Links
Aside from toggling your device’s settings, there are also other things that you can do to improve your iPhone’s security. Security tips for iPhone users include not just settings modifications. We also want you to pay attention to the content you encounter online.
How many web browser tabs do you have open right now on your iPhone? Are those all the tabs you opened because you wanted to? Have you tapped something accidentally? The problem is that we receive TONS of links via emails and text messages, and not all of those links are safe. It is possible to become a victim of a phishing attack. Unfortunately, phishing attacks are still a big security threat, and you shouldn’t take them lightly.
App Permissions
How many apps do you have installed on your device? Your iPhone security could be jeopardized because of unreliable apps that collect too much information. When you install a new app, it always prompts you about the data it needs to collect or access in order to function properly.
Normally, users are aware of the permissions they give to the apps. Also, if you keep your iOS up-to-date, it might be harder for apps to collect information about you behind your back. However, if you have doubts and you want to check what kind of information the apps in your iPhone can collect, you can go through the list of installed apps on the Privacy menu that you can access via the Settings app.
Auto-Fill Settings
There are many other aspects of iPhone security that can be covered, but the final one we will discuss in our security tips for iPhone users is the auto-fill settings. You might wonder why security experts think that auto-fill could be a security liability.
Well, that is because the auto-fill feature might store sensitive data like your contact information and credit card numbers. Although this feature is very useful because it saves you the trouble of filling out forms and typing in passwords or credit card numbers, it could also be abused by hackers or by anyone who breaches your iPhone’s security. In other words, if someone else gains access to your account, they could steal your financial information, too. Thus, it is safer to turn the auto-fill option off.
How to Turn Off Auto-Fill
- Go to the Settings app.
- Select Safari and tap AutoFill.
- Toggle every auto-fill option off.
As you can see, there are simple steps you can take to improve your iPhone’s security. As mentioned, there are other ways to ensure that your device and your personal information remain safe. However, you can always start with being cautious about new content and keeping in mind that every single action you take on your device has an impact on security.
