Smartphones (and tablets) have now become real containers for any type of data, especially the most sensitive ones. It is therefore essential to adequately protect these devices. With this guide we will try to understand how to do it in the best way, focusing mainly on the iPhone and iPad, or on the iOS operating system. Let’s get started right away!
Add a lock code
It might seem trivial, but many still tend to avoid choosing the lock code. Fortunately Apple requires its creation from the first configuration of the device, but in case you have not already done so, we advise you to proceed immediately in the following way.
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Continue with “Face ID (or Touch ID) and code“
- Click on “Add the code“
- Choose whether to use an alphanumeric, 4-digit or 6-digit passcode
- Enter the preferred code
At this point you can proceed with the addition of a fingerprint or a face. We obviously recommend the latter two operations, as they will represent additional security.
Keep iOS updated
Some versions of iOS may be unsafe due to unexpected bugs while writing the code. Apple engineers, however, work continuously to remove these problems and offer the best possible experience. For this reason it is absolutely recommended to keep the iPhone or iPad in possession. Let’s see how to do it right away.
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Continue with “General”
- Click on “Software Update”
If an update is actually present, click on “Download and install”. Another tip is to activate automatic updates, in order to keep the device updated without doing it manually.
Avoid ambiguous links
Since the birth of the internet, most malware has found space within ambiguous links, i.e. URLs that can be traced back to sites specifically built to infect devices. As iOS may therefore be a closed and protected system, it is good to avoid any type of threat from the outside.
Our advice is therefore not to click on links belonging to e-mail messages in the “unwanted” folder (or spam) and to be very careful when there is a “bit.ly” URL, since they are frequently used for this type of operations.
Keep the lock screen secure
Adding a lock code isn’t the only way to prevent unwanted people from using iPhones or iPads. From the lock screen it is possible, by default, to reply to messages, access the notification center and even talk to Siri. However, it is possible to deactivate all this and reactivate it only with the screen locked.
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Continue with “Face ID (or Touch ID) and code”
- Deactivate all toggles in the section “ALLOW ACCESS IF LOCKED”
Activate “Find My iPhone”
Although it is possible to make an iPhone inaccessible, it still remains at risk of “theft” or “loss”. In these cases it is good to rely on “Find my iPhone“, or an iCloud function active by default on all Apple devices. This will make it impossible for third parties to use the device and will show its position on a map accessible from any browser.
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Click on your account at the top
- Continue with “Where is it” and then with “Find my XXX“
- Activate all the toggles present
Use a VPN
Just as the name suggests, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows private and encrypted browsing from any browser. Obviously, it is not necessary to use a VPN every time you surf the internet, but mainly when you are connected to public and password-free hotspots.
In fact, it is assumed that private and/or “home” connections are managed adequately and securely. There are several applications on the App Store that allow you to do it (free and paid), so we recommend you download the one you consider most valid. Simply search for “VPN” in the bar of Apple’s digital store and choose one from the list that appears.
Do not use public Wi-Fi connections without a password
We connect to the previous point to further restrict the possibilities of insecure navigation. iOS allows you to hook up a free and free hotspot and Wi-Fi connection in a completely automatic way. However, this may lead to connection to dangerous and attack risk networks. So let’s see how to protect yourself from this “automatic connection”.
- Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
- Continue with “Wi-Fi”
- Click on “Sign in to hotspot automatically”
- Activate “Login”
In this way, authorization will be requested before accessing a public network. We also recommend the same operation for “Request network access“, activating “Notification“.
Restrict app permissions
Trouble can also come from third-party applications downloaded from the App Store. Some software tend to request permits for access to: camera, location, contacts, notifications and more. Obviously, in certain cases, it is convenient to accept these permits, while in others it is not recommended and dangerous. Nothing to worry about if “WhatsApp” request contacts, less if, for example, a photo editor requires the potion.
All these warnings appear automatically after opening the app, but can then be changed from the system settings. So be careful what you accept and do it only for the operations that you deem necessary for that specific app.
Avoid the Jailbreak
The strength of iOS is definitely its “closure”. In fact, Apple tends to avoid access to its devices as much as possible from the outside, but by performing the Jailbreak, the same “closure” is basically canceled. The operating system will therefore become very vulnerable to malware and the resulting damage. Any download or click may in fact be harmful and render the device itself unusable. We therefore recommend keeping iPhone or iPad as sold and avoiding changes to the Jailbreak.
Periodically check the Privacy settings
Everything related to the security of the iPhone or iPad is contained in the Privacy settings. These can be reached by opening the “Settings” app and continuing with “Privacy”. Here you can in fact cancel and modify any type of concession made to third-party applications, in order to understand what type of data is collected from individual software.
It is therefore very convenient to view them periodically and possibly modify them according to your preferences, trying to share as little as possible with third party services.