Apple device security has never been more important. Personal devices are the core of our lives today. They hold all our apps and data. All our plans, passwords, and active files. We often access protected work projects and apps through our personal devices. And since the pandemic, your personal device might be your primary working platform. This makes device security for your Apple products an essential part of your daily precautions.
Just as you wouldn’t write your password down and pass it around the office – you don’t want to leave your device a virtual or physical risk to your data security. From prying eyes to toxic apps, you can significantly improve your Apple device security with just a few helpful best practices.
Security Best Practices to Secure Apple Devices and Other Mobile Devices
First, let’s start with the best practices for keeping any mobile device secure – Apple or Android. These techniques help protect phones from both remote and in-person data theft.
Two-Factor Authentication
Always use more than one method to log in. Instead of your usual password set a pin, a drawn shape, or a more creative second factor to confuse and thwart hackers and phone thieves.
Make sure everyone has their phone and/or a personal email account connected to serve as their two-factor auth in case a hacker tries to use their stolen or cracked login credentials.
Empty Your Lock Screen
The apps and features on your lock screen can give phone thieves a chance to access your data or even open the phone. Empty your lock screen of everything but the clock to be safe.
An empty and secured lock screen can stop both curious family members and phone thieves from using your phone to access logged-in apps or use your two-factor authentication.
Strong Password Creation
Take the time to invent a strong password.
- Use the acronym method – Think of a funny sentence that you’ll remember. Break down the first letter of each word, and switch a few to numbers or symbols where it feels natural. You’ll have a secure and memorized password in no time.
- Use the phrase method – Take three to five random words without spaces or punctuation, then replace a few letters and numbers.
Phone Biometrics
Make use of modern device biometrics. Scan your fingerprints and face so you have quick access but phone thieves do not.
Biometrics can be hacked, but most hackers and black-hat script copiers don’t have the skills or tools, so the risk is much less.
Regularly Clean Data
Finally, clear your data and regularly clean each phone and tablet. Don’t keep temporary data on the phone, and regularly delete your temporary, downloads, and storage file locations.
This will improve any device’s performance and speed, from computers to iPhones. Clearing out old data also keeps your device safe by regularly deleting old programs or files that might be infected.
Specific Steps to Secure Apple Devices
What can you do to secure specifically Apple products? It’s not just device security, it’s also working with the features and structure provided by Apple. Here’s how to secure your Apple devices using the tools build into every iOS product.
Turn on “Find My Phone”
“Find My Phone” is among the most useful things to have if your phone gets lost or stolen away from home. In fact, it can often help you guess lost or stolen by the location and condition of the phone. On the move? More likely to be stolen. Sitting in a coat room or security station? Likely in a lost-and-found box.
Turn on Mail Privacy Protection to Secure Apple Devices
Mail Privacy Protection is a special feature offered directly through Apple. It makes it difficult for mail senders from leaving you with tracking cookies. It won’t reveal when you have opened an email and it will prevent emails from releasing further creeper-bots to track your other data as well.