3 tips to keep your iPhone secure in 2021
Author: Matthew Stern
Your iPhone is one of the most secure pieces of computing machinery available. So secure that it is impenetrable by malware. No wonder Apple can charge such a premium for the iPhone.
Actually, that’s not true at all. While iPhone’s iOS operating system is generally considered to be more secure than Android, iPhones are far from perfect. We counted over 20 security patches listed on Apple’s website in 2020 alone. The false sense of invincibility held by iPhone users can be dangerous. But, here are some tips to make sure your iPhone is as secure as possible.
Look at your apps
Credit: Speed Check
While Apple is far better than Android at keeping malicious and data-thieving apps off the App Store, there are several ways that your apps can be the greatest undoing on your device.
For one, sideloading apps from sources other than Apple’s App Store leaves you at the mercy of threat actors. Apple engineers check the apps in their store to confirm that they are free of malicious code and intent – but the outside sources that you install your apps from might not have the same precautions in place.
Likewise, look at the app permissions. Never allow an app to have more access to your phone than necessary. Head into the settings dashboard and scroll down to find the app in question to fix or check on app permissions.
Be cautious of sideloading apps
Check each app’s permissions
Look at your internet connection
The internet is likely the most important feature of your iPhone. Sure, apps can do a lot offline. But, without the internet, your iPhone isn’t much help.
The data that passes through your internet network as you browse the web is more sensitive than you know. While it takes an experienced hacker to mine sensitive details such as your login information and account details, it happens more than you would think.
It’s not all bad news, though. If you need to use a public Wi-Fi network, or simply care about your overall network security, using a VPN on your iPhone is one of the best things to do.
The VPN tunnels your data through secure channels so that hackers, scammers, and even your ISP do not know what you are doing on the network.
Alternatively, turning WiFi off to use only your cellular data can prove to be a secure option. While hackers can set up fake cell towers that your iPhone might connect to, you can rest easy using a combination of VPN and cellular data.
Use a VPN
Turn off WiFi, use cellular data
Look at your software versions
This could have been mentioned under the apps section above, but deserves more comprehensive discussion.
Every iPhone user is familiar with the frequent updates that Apple issues to secure your device. Notably, they issued an update in January of 2021 which prevented an exploit from being used against iPhone users en masse. Simply clicking on a copycat URL with one letter off or opening an attachment in a bogus urgent email from your “bank” can give a cybercriminal instant access to your data. That alone should tell you how important such updates are, and why you should never hesitate to download and install Apple’s software or app updates.
The next time you get the notification to update/ upgrade an app or your iOS device, know that it is more for your good than the developers.
Make sure your iPhone is updated!
Final words
The basics – “set secure passwords,” “avoid connecting your device to just about any computer” – aren’t discussed above as you’ve already mastered these beginner tips.
Securing your iPhone isn’t complicated but it is vital, given the amount of data your phone holds. By checking app permissions, using a VPN on public WiFi or sticking with cellular data only, and by regularly installing Apple updates, you can increase your peace of mind and keep your data to yourself!
Matthew Stern