Apple has come far in the past four decades, going from a company known for its desktop to a company seen as a sign of status, quality, and luxury. And this newfound status would not be at all possible without the iPhone.
You could write an entire book on why the iPhone is a fantastic device, but today, let’s focus on a problem iPhone users face: security.
The Cyber-Threats Faced by iPhone Users
Phishing Scams
Owning an iPhone means you have a phone, so you likely know about phishing scams, scams that target unsuspecting users who don’t know any better and attempt to coax private information out of them.
No matter what operating system you’re on, phishing scams are always a constant risk—one you need to learn how to recognize before you fall for one yourself.
A Lack of Updates
Apple pushes out iOS updates on a semi-regular basis, and these updates contain new features, quality of life improvements, and security fixes, the latter being the most important.
Going without these security fixes for a long period exposes your iPhone to unnecessary risks like data breaches and remote hacks.
Theft
There is no limit to what a thief could do with your iPhone if they ever managed to get their hands on it. Theft is a serious issue—especially for electronics like iPhones—and letting your phone out of sight for longer than a second could result in your iPhone being stolen and unretrievable.
How iPhone Users Can Secure Their Devices
Update iOS
If you’re the type of person to hold software updates off until you are forced to install them by Apple themselves, stop doing that. Check if there are any iOS updates ready to be installed and if there are, drop everything you are doing and start the installation.
iOS updates are frequent. This can make their presence annoying—especially when you are in the middle of work—but getting a head start on iOS updates minimizes the time your iPhone is vulnerable to various cybersecurity risks.
Encrypt Your Device’s Data
How often do you connect to a public network using your iPhone? Free Internet is great, after all, and if you’re going to be sitting down in a café for a couple of hours, it won’t hurt to use their network, right?
Well, public networks are very dangerous, and it doesn’t take much for a cybercriminal to steal your data through the public network. This only happens due to the lack of security protocols present on most public networks.
To avoid having your data ripped right from you while using a public network, you can always use a VPN for iPhone, which will encrypt all of your data and hide your presence on any network.
Enable Face ID or a Passcode
If your iPhone is ever stolen by a friend, family member, or stranger, they will be able to view all of your data. Text messages saved payment information, the ability to make purchases on your cards: it’s all in the hands of the thief.
One of the best thief deterrents is Face ID or any form of phone lock, whether that be Touch ID for older iPhone models or a simple passcode. For one, having a phone lock feature enabled will make it 10x more difficult for a thief to break into your phone. And two, thieves are less likely to target your device if they see it has a lock on it.
Conclusion
iPhones are great all-around devices entrenched in a device ecosystem that you won’t regret jumping into. However, there are a few problems with iPhones and iOS in general, specifically when it comes to security. Fortunately, users can protect their devices with a few tricks.
