While our mobile devices, especially smartphones, hold so much personal data about us, it's important to make sure their content is well protected from prying eyes.
We carry a lot of data on our iPhones, especially personal data to which no one should have access. And while iOS is very good at securing them, it may be a good idea to check its configuration from time to time, to ensure maximum privacy on your device.
How about you do this now?
The access code
While biometric access, through your face or fingerprints, is both secure and convenient, only a strong access code can ensure the security of your data. It doesn't matter if you're using Touch ID or Face ID, you always need a device passcode, and the more secure the better. It really is the cornerstone of your security. If it falls into someone's hands, your iPhone and its data is theirs. It is recommended that I change regularly to add a layer of safety against prying eyes.
To set up the passcode for your iPhone, go to Settings> Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) , and enter your passcode. Then click on "Change code", then on "Code options" to obtain a set of options. You can then choose between "Personal alphanumeric code" (the most secure), "Personal numeric code" and "4-digit code". The last option is not recommended, because the code is four digits can be more easily guessed, and in particular by analyzing the traces left on the telephone keypad.
To completely secure your data, scroll to the bottom of the screen and activate "Clear data". After 10 unsuccessful attempts to enter the passcode to your device, the encryption key will be deleted and your data will be permanently and securely erased. When approaching 10 attempts, a timer lock slows down the possibilities of entering access codes, preventing your data from being destroyed by a joke in bad taste, for example.
The password manager
Any good security setup requires good passwords.
IOS has an auto fill feature for passwords using the built-in iCloud Keychain, or third-party password managers like LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password.
To configure your password manager: Go to Settings > Passwords > Prefill passwords.
Two-factor authentication
One of the best ways to protect your data is to configure and use two-factor authentication. This means that even if an attacker has your iCloud username and password, Apple will send a passcode to a device you choose which should block most attacks.
To enable two-factor authentication for your iCloud account, go to "Settings", click on your name, then go to "Password & Security" and verify that "Two-factor authentication" is enabled.
Screen lock
To prevent anyone from accessing the contents of your iPhone, it is possible to lock the screen. Once the screen is locked, you will need to authenticate again to access the content of the device. Authentication can slow you down, but keep in mind that Face ID and Touch ID are very fast and smooth, keeping that time to a minimum.
It is also a good way to save battery.
To choose the screen lock timeout, go to Settings> Brightness & display> Auto- lock . There are several options to choose from, ranging from 30 seconds to forever. Personally, I chose 30 seconds.
The Locate function
This feature is very useful if you are worried about your device being stolen or if you are the type to lose items. In these situations, every second counts.
To activate "Find my iPhone", go to "Settings", then click on your name. Then go to "Find My" and activate "Find my iPhone".
In this same menu, you can also activate "Send last position", which as its name suggests sends the last location of your device when the battery is very low, so that you can find it even if the battery is discharged. There is also the "Find Network" feature, which allows you to locate your device through the Apple network, even if it is offline.
The precise location
For apps that require your location, you can give them access to a general location, without giving your precise location. It is therefore possible to use your location data without knowing exactly where you are.
Of course, some apps will need your exact location, like GPS. But for others, you can choose to be vague.
To configure these settings, go to Settings> Privacy> Location services . You can then configure the permissions to access your location for each application, and choose to select "Exact position", or not, if you agree.
Data accessible when the device is locked
You can choose the data accessible when your iPhone is locked, among:
• Day display
• Notification center
• Control center
• Siri
• Reply by message
• House
• Wallet
• Call back missed calls
• USB accessories
Simply put, the more functions you lock, and the more secure your data is. But, on the other hand, it also means that you have to authenticate yourself to do more things.
To configure the data you want visible when the device is locked, go to Settings> Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), then enter your passcode. Then scroll to the bottom to access the list. Among these options, it is advisable to deactivate "USB accessories", in order to prevent the use of the Lightning port to connect an accessory if your device has been locked for more than an hour.
It is also advisable to secure notifications. If seeing the notifications displayed on the locked screen can be practical, we must not forget that in this case everyone has access to them too. To do this, go to Settings> Notifications> Show previews, and choose between "If unlocked" and "Never".
Photos
Your photos are very personal, and you can now choose not to give apps access to all or none of your photos. When an application first requests access to your photos, you have the option of blocking access, giving full access or access to certain photos.
And if you change your mind, you can head to Settings> Privacy> Photos to make changes. It may be a good idea to check the permissions granted to certain applications and modify if necessary.
Wi-Fi networks
Your iPhone can now pass a fake MAC address to Wi-Fi routers, preventing your device from being tracked when it uses network connections.
This feature is on by default, and you can find it by going to Settings> Wi-Fi, then clicking the “i” in the circle next to the network.
Note that while this feature works well on most networks, it can cause problems. For example, some smart grids are designed to send a notification when a new device connects. It can also disrupt parental controls or corporate networks where permissions are assigned based on MAC address (it is not recommended to use the MAC address for authentication, but it does happen).
If you have problems with certain Wi-Fi networks, you may need to turn this feature off.
Hardware authentication
Hardware authentication allows for even more secure authentication.
Security application
Personally, I have been using iVerify for several months. This app offers smart suggestions for securing iOS. Green and orange dots
A green dot appears when accessing the camera (similar to the green LED that lights up on Macs when the camera is on), and an orange dot for microphone access. It is a handy indicator for misbehaving applications.
Don't know which app activates the camera or microphone? Head into Control Center, and you'll notice a notice at the top showing the most recent app that accessed the camera or microphone.
VPN
If you use free Wi-Fi a lot, especially on the go, then you really need a VPN.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to create a secure connection between your device and the VPN service provider's server, allowing you to browse the web securely and without other people being able to spy on what you are do.