With the risks increasing and technology constantly advancing, everyone is looking to secure their data in any way they can. Here are 10 tips to help you strengthen iPhone against an upcoming attack.
The first tip is where it all starts. Our first step should always be the passcode. A strong passcode, even if you use Touch ID or Face ID, gives you the extra security you need. To achieve this: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > enter your existing passcode, then tap Passcode Options to get a set of options. A 4-digit passcode is not recommended, as it is easily accessible. Sometimes it is clear which passcode is used by the fingerprints on the screen.
Another tip you can use to stop anyone trying to guess your password is to go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode on iPhones with Touch ID), enter your existing passcode, and scroll down to Erase Data. After 10 failed passcode attempts, your data will be completely erased.
Another way to strengthen your iPhone's security is to check your passcode. iOS 12 includes a password autofill feature, via iCloud Keychain. To set it up, go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Autofill Passwords.
Next on the list of tips could be, if you are using free Wi-Fi, to use a VPN. A Virtual Private Network creates a secure connection for you so you can browse freely.
You need to make sure you have the latest version of iOS, because it contains all the updates. To set this up, go to Settings > General > Software Update and turn on Automatic Updates.
Control which apps have access to your device when it's locked. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode on iPhones with Touch ID) and enter your existing passcode to control what can work when your device is not in use.
Notifications that appear on the lock screen are a big risk. Because they are visible to anyone in close proximity and can easily convey information to anyone looking for some. In this case, it is a good idea to change the settings so that notifications appear when the device is unlocked.
A rather basic tip is to enable two-factor authentication. This means that even if a hacker has your iCloud username and password, Apple will send a verification code to a device you've chosen. To set this up, go to Settings > and tap your name at the top of the screen, then go to Password & Security, and then select Two-Factor Authentication.
It's also a good idea to keep the lock time as short as possible. This saves battery and forces your phone to require confirmation to unlock again.
Finally, another practical tip is to have the device finder enabled, especially in case of theft. This way you will know where your device is, since Apple will notify you of its exact location even if you don't have a battery.
