There’s no doubt that Apple invests heavily in the security of its devices. Each iteration of the iPhone comes with improved security features, as slight as they may be. However, one thing Apple has no control over is the behavior of its users.
With cybercrime on the rise, limiting security mishaps can save you from a security breach on your phone. This article will go over some of the major security mistakes iPhone users make.
Not updating iOS and apps
Perhaps the most common mistake iPhone users make is waiting too long to install the latest software update. As annoying as Apple’s notifications inviting to update are, some people still find ways to ignore them, which is a huge mistake. Old software versions are much more vulnerable to attacks as they contain unpatched bugs or security flaws.
Updating iOS is very easy. Either press the notification to update or navigate to Settings>General>Software Update.
Aside from the operating system, it’s also best to enable automatic app updates. This may make your phone run slower for a few seconds unexpectedly while an app updates, but it’s worth it. Remembering to update apps is more difficult as you don’t get notifications.
Using weak passwords
Setting up Apple ID and all other accounts when you first get a new iPhone can be annoying. Many people rush through the process, setting weak passwords and putting themselves at great risk of an attack. A weak password can be easily bypassed with the advanced tools that hackers use. Instead, set strong passwords that are long and include special characters.
Now that you know how important strong passwords are, you may wonder how you will remember them with so many unique accounts. For one, you can log in to most apps and services using your Apple ID, which is very convenient. Even without that, you can use password managers to store and generate strong passwords. One thing you don’t want to do is type your passwords in the Notes app.
Not using Touch or Face ID
It was a great security addition when Apple introduced Touch ID in 2013. Apple brought Face ID four years later, making unauthorized iPhone access even harder. As great as these security features are, you’d be surprised how many people still use four-digit pin codes to unlock their phone or don’t use anything at all.
The best thing about Touch or Face ID is that they’re so easy to use and much quicker than entering codes. It takes less than a second to unlock your iPhone, even quicker than swiping to unlock. So, there’s no reason not to set up Touch ID (for older iPhones and iPhone SE) or Face ID (newer models).
These technologies scan your fingerprint or faceprint, ensuring that you’re the only person on the planet who can unlock that specific phone.
Not paying attention to app permissions
When installing a new app, you’re often too eager to try it to worry about reading app permissions before clicking “install.” Most of the time, you’ll be fine, as the App Store is generally very secure. However, you never know when an app will ask for more access than it needs.
App permissions can be complicated. Certain apps will need access to sensitive areas of your phone to function properly. Conversely, some apps will request access it doesn’t really need. You will have to decide on a case-by-case basis to determine whether you should grant access or not.
Most importantly, you should always read the app permission before allowing anything, especially with apps from lesser-known developers.
Clicking on dangerous links or attachments
As hackers become more sophisticated, recognizing dubious links has become more complex. When browsing through your emails on your iPhone, pay close attention to who these emails are coming from. If you don’t recognize the source, avoid clicking on any links or attachments from that email or number.
One particularly common trick to look out for is hackers pretending to be friends or colleagues.
It’s also best to be conservative about where you click when browsing the internet.
Final thoughts
iPhones are very safe devices thanks to Apple’s strict privacy and security rules. Yet, people can still expose themselves to danger by not following simple security practices. Knowing is half the battle, so hopefully, you can avoid these mistakes by reading about them in this article. Going one extra step to ensure security is always worth it, no matter how unlikely it is to suffer consequences for your negligence.
