Even though Apple has taken tremendous steps to ensure that an incident like the iCloud leak from 2014 does not happen again, iPhone users still need to be wary about protecting their device. The tech giant may have taken the necessary steps to safeguard your privacy and data online, but you will need to take additional steps to ensure you remain safe and secure at all times.
The last thing you need to do is to be reckless about your device and the data therein, for which reason you need to encrypt your iPhone pronto. But encrypting your iPhone is not going to be enough, you will need to utilize a VPN to take things up a notch in regards to device security. If you are wondering why you would even need a VPN when your iPhone is already encrypted, then you are at the right place.
This blog will give you all the information you need from encrypting your iPhone, and why using a VPN is a necessity rather than a luxury. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
How to encrypt your iPhone
First and foremost, if you haven’t already encrypted your iPhone, you should do so immediately. If you do not know how, then follow these instructions to the word:
- In Settings, select Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enable Turn Passcode On.
- Select Passcode Options, choose a custom alphanumeric or numeric code. You will be better off choosing an alphanumeric code though.
- To confirm whether your iPhone is encrypted or not, under Settings, select Touch ID & Passcode. If your iPhone is encrypted, you will get the following message: Data Protection is enabled.
If your iPhone is running an older version of iOS, more specifically older than iOS 8, then you will need to look for the Passcode option in Settings, under General.
Even though your iPhone has been encrypted, you need to make sure your data being stored on iTunes or iCloud is encrypted as well. Fortunately, the option is automatically enabled if you are using iCloud. But if you are using iTunes, then you will need to manually enable the option by choosing the Encrypt iPhone Backup option from Backup Settings for the specific device you want to secure.
Bolster iPhone Security with a VPN
Just because your iPhone and iCloud or iTunes backup is encrypted does not mean you are in the clear yet. Since you will be connecting your iPhone to the internet, on more than one occasion, you need to understand anything and everything you do online can be accessed, monitored, tracked, and sold to third parties without your consent.
As long as you are connecting to the internet without a VPN, you are an easy target for hackers and cybercriminals. What is worse is your ISP will benefit the most, since they know exactly what you are doing. To avoid this invasion of privacy, you will need a VPN at all times. But not just any VPN will do, you will need a reliable one that keeps you safe, secure and anonymous at all times.
On the other hand, if and when you are travelling, you may need to connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Disturbingly, these networks are more or less breeding grounds for hackers and cybercriminals. To protect yourself from any and all online threats on public Wi-Fi networks, you will need a VPN through and through.
When looking for a VPN to secure your iPhone online, you will need to stay clear of free VPNs. They may seem great on the surface level, but they are not any better than your ISP, hackers or cybercriminals for that matter. Since they are not charging you, they will resort to selling your information to third parties. Due to this reason, you will need to do a bit of homework to find the best VPN out there, preferably a paid service. Additionally, you will need to make sure they have a Zero Logging policy, guaranteeing none of your online activities are monitored and recorded in any way.
How a VPN Secures Encrypted iPhones
Once you have found the best VPN out there, what you need to do is to connect to a VPN server, it does not matter what server. By connecting to a VPN server, you will get a new IP address, which means your original IP address will be masked. This means whenever you go online, you will be off the grid, not even your own ISP will not what you are up to online.
Only a few VPNs offer advanced security features like Military Grade Encryption, IPv6 Leak Protection, Public Wi-Fi Security, etc. securing your online presence further. Never again will you have to worry about being compromised online, and that is a fact!
Final Word
You now know how to encrypt your iPhone, and why using a VPN on your iPhone is essential for your daily online activities. What is really interesting is that a VPN on your iPhone offers other advantages. For starters, you will be able to access any and all content online. You will be able to enjoy internet freedom like never before, and all you will need to do is to connect to a VPN server of a region where the content you wish to access is available.
Other benefits include being able to get amazing discounts and deals by connecting to different regions. You will also be able to enjoy the best streaming experience, since ISP throttling will be a thing of the past with a VPN.
Seeing how much a VPN has to offer, make sure you opt for the best VPN today!
