Apple makes the privacy and security of user data an important feature in its software and hardware. But better security starts with you: here are a few tips.
iPhone privacy and security
Privacy and security are of paramount importance to Apple, but ultimately you determine how safe your iOS device is. For example, you can often set what third parties can see of your data and make it difficult for potential burglars to deny them access. To help you on your way, we have listed a number of tips.
1. Two-step verification
It is extremely important to always set up two-step verification on devices, websites and in apps. This always adds an extra step to log in. In addition to a password, you must, for example, also enter a unique code or give permission with another device.
To set this up for your Apple ID, go to the Apple ID account page and click Get Started under Two-step verification. Answer your security questions and follow Apple’s steps to set up two-step verification. We recommend setting up this form of login not only with Apple, but with all websites and apps that offer it, including Gmail, Twitter or Facebook.
2. Use a strong password
It may seem like a no-brainer, but this still goes wrong very often. A strong password is not ‘123456’, but a long password consisting of several letters and characters. You prefer to use a password that makes no sense, a random sequence of characters. Various password managers, such as LastPass or 1Password, can help you get such a password and manage it. This way you will always find the most difficult passwords quickly. Also read these 6 tips for a strong password.
3. Set up a VPN
If you are ever on the Wi-Fi hotspot of a public place, for example in the train or a restaurant, then you would do well to set up a VPN. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and ensures that your internet connection runs through a redirected server. This means you run a lot less risk of burglary. If you want to know everything about it, read our VPN explanation.
4. Location settings
Apps often ask for the location of your iPhone. It is then used even when it is not necessary. If you are asked whether the app can access your location, decline that request. You may have to do that a few times. If you have already pressed accept and want to change it, you can do so via the Settings app. Then swipe down and tap the app to check if they can access the location. It can be determined whether an app has ‘Always’, ‘Never’ or ‘When using the app’ permission.
5. Deny apps access to data
Do you know which apps on your iPhone have access to other apps, such as contacts or your calendar? It doesn’t hurt to check that and make adjustments where necessary. You do not always know exactly what companies do with your information. To do this, go to the Settings app and swipe down. Tap the apps and see what connection they have with other apps.
6. Password and Touch ID as access code
Touch ID is a good solution for securing your iPhone, but it can always be bypassed via a 4 or 6 digit PIN. If you have an iPhone with Touch ID, a better solution is to replace the PIN with a strong password. In this article we explain exactly how to do that.
7. Change personal hotspot password
You can set your iPhone as a personal hotspot, for example to use the 4G connection of your phone on your MacBook. For that you have to enter a password on the Mac which is on your iPhone. By default, that is a fairly complicated password, but you can also change it to something better. You do this via ‘Settings> Personal hotspot> WiFi access’.
8. Remove iMessages after some time
Maybe you’d rather not have messages you send remain in Apple’s Messages app forever. Fortunately, you can set them to disappear after a certain time. Go to ‘Settings> Messages> Save messages’. Here you can indicate whether you want to keep messages forever, for a year or for just 30 days. They are then deleted by default, so that the recipient no longer sees them. And you don’t have to worry about it. This is also possible for videos and recorded messages, because you can make them disappear faster.
9. Invisible notifications on lock screen
Handy about iOS is that your notifications can be seen on the lock screen, but it is not very safe for readers. In most cases you can make them illegible. The easiest way is via ‘Settings> Notifications’. There you switch off ‘Show preview’ for an app of your choice. Note: this method does not work with all apps. Sometimes you have to open an app, go to the settings of the specific app and you can manage it through that way.
10. Limit ad tracking
A recent improvement to Safari is that you can set to limit ad trackers. The feature ensures that cookies and trackers are blocked. You don’t enable it via Safari, but via the Settings app. Go to ‘Privacy’ and swipe all the way down until you see ‘Advertising’. Here you set the slider behind ‘Limit advertising tracking’ to green.
11. More privacy in Safari
Via ‘Settings> Safari’ you will find even more options for privacy in the internet browser. For example, under the heading ‘Privacy and security’ you can activate an option to no longer be followed by trackers. You also have the option to block cookies.
Read more about security
- Apple gives hackers special iPhones to check iOS security (23-12-2020)
- Tip: recognize and prevent WhatsApp fraud in 6 steps (12-10-2020)
- Secure your Twitter account with two-factor authentication: that’s how it works (7/26/2020)
- Tip: Make your Mac’s hard drive (Book) more secure with FileVault (7/19/2020)
- Make your Apple device more secure with two-factor authentication – that’s how it works (6/27/2020)