3 iPhone Security Tips

Chris Page June 21, 2013 in iPhone - 2 Minutes

Your iPhone stores plenty of personal/business data that you don’t want to fall into other people’s hands. The most effective security measures you can take for protecting your iPhone are simple and easy to apply. You don’t have to buy any special app – just consider the following steps.

Use A Passphrase or at Least a Simple Passcode

The passcode or passphrase appears on the screen each time you turn on, restart, or unlock your device. While the passcode consists of a four digits code, the passphrase is made up of a sequence of alphanumeric numbers. The passcode is more convenient, but the passphrase is safer. To configure the passcode or passphrase go to Settings > General > Passcode Lock. Not using a passphrase or a passcode is like going out without locking your door.

Don’t Use Free WiFi Unless You Have To

Free WiFi has most of the time poor security. You won’t run any risks if you turn it on to browse the web in search of information, but things change if you use it when buying stuff from the Internet or logging into your social media accounts. There’s always the risk that someone might be intercepting some of your data. Be especially wary of WiFi networks when you’re traveling abroad. Also, make sure your device is not connecting automatically to WiFi networks.

Disable Location Services That Geotag Your Photos

By default, all the photos you take with the iPhone camera are tagged with your location. Nice feature, you might say, but think again. If you upload your photos to Facebook and Google+ without using strict privacy settings, you will keep the whole world updated with your latest location. You don’t want to do that do you? It’s even worse if you’re trying to get rid of a disgruntled ex.

A location service like Find My iPhone is certainly useful and you can leave it on at all times, but there are other services which you can turn off without diminishing the user experience. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and disable the ones you don’t need.

In the end, remember that in spite of all the security measures you take, your iPhone can still be stolen, and then your data is usually compromised. To prevent theft, don’t display your device ostentatiously, don’t forget it on tables other than your own, and don’t lend it to people you don’t trust.