Whether you're proudly carrying around the latest version of Apple's iPhone or still enamored with the phone you bought a few years ago, these smartphones are expensive pieces of equipment.
Today's Apple smartphones are nimble, fast, and can do most of the things you can do on a desktop computer. The increased number of systems and processes does have one serious downside though: a greater number of potential exploits that threat actors can use to steal your data.
Contrary to popular belief, Apple iPhones are not impenetrable bastions of security. In fact, malware that targets Apple products is rising, iOS devices can be crypto-jacked, and Apple has acknowledged several serious exploits recently.
With that in mind, it pays to protect your device and data. Here's how:
Keep your iOS up to date
Apple releases updates and patches to fix known vulnerabilities, among other reasons. So it's important that you always run the latest version of iOS. Sure, updates are annoying, but failing to update your iPhone is akin to leaving the front keys in your door when you go out for the day. And updates are still less annoying than falling victim to a cyber attack!
Be careful of the apps you download
Apple does a decent job of ensuring the apps in the App Store are legitimate, but a few bad eggs still make it past the gates. In one case, a fraudulent Trezor app led to a man losing 17.1 Bitcoin (his entire life savings).
Check reviews, check the app's branding to make sure it matches the real version, and only download the apps you need.
Enable Find my iPhone
Find my iPhone is a way to protect your physical device and help you recover it if it's lost or stolen. Plus, by enabling this feature you also have the option to wipe your device remotely if the worst happens.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Once primarily thought of as privacy devices, VPNs are now being embraced for their cybersecurity credentials too. Install a VPN on your iPhone and two things will happen; firstly, you'll always browse on a private network, and secondly, all your traffic will be encrypted. The benefits of this are clear and VPNs are a must for anyone who uses open public WiFi networks.
Set up 2FA on your iCloud account
2FA, or two-factor authentication, provides an additional layer of security to your iCloud account, or any other account for that matter. Choose an alternative, second means of authentication to strengthen your phone's defenses. While SMS verification is popular, beware that if your physical device is lost, this method may put you at increased risk.
Download third-party security solutions
In addition to the already-mentioned VPN, you should consider investing in high-quality, third-party security software. This may include antimalware and an email scanner. The latter is especially recommended for those using their iPhones for work emails.
Don't jailbreak your iPhone
It's tempting to break away from a telecommunications provider, especially if their competitors have much better rates. But jailbreaking your iPhone is always a bad idea. Jailbroken iPhones are much likelier to fall victim to malware and even viruses, which are normally very rare in iPhones.
We hope these tips help you keep your iPhone and your sensitive personal data safe and sound.
