TOP SECURITY TIPS

8 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR IPHONE FROM HACKERS

We tend to think of our iPhones getting hacked as a far-off scenario, but large tech companies like Apple pay hackers big money to find the bugs and loopholes they can't see. Earlier this year, Apple released iOS 10.3.2 with security updates that corrected flaws that had gone unnoticed for a couple years. While it's not worth panicking over, it's good to take precautions. Each iOS update puts more security features directly on your iPhone than ever before. Can someone hack your iPhone? Sure it's possible; someone can even hack an iPhone remotely. But you can do a lot to secure your iPhone and protect it from possible hackers. The following tips will help you implement every safeguard possible, allowing you to protect your iPhone from hackers, both local and remote.

ENABLE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION

Two-Factor Authentication is Apple's latest failsafe for keeping your Apple ID secure. Once enabled, you'll be required to use a trusted device to verify each time you log in to a new device with your Apple ID. For example, say you get a new iPad. When you go to sign in with your Apple ID for the first time, your other trusted devices like your iPhone will receive a notification asking for approval. If you allow, your iPhone will display a verification code. Once you enter the verification code on your iPad, the device is approved. This feature works well because anytime someone tries to log in to your Apple ID account, you'll get a notification and have the ability to approve or deny the attempt. To turn on Two-Factor Authentication, go to Settings and tap your Apple ID profile at the top of the screen. Select Password & Security and then turn on Two-Factor Authentication.

TURN ON FIND MY IPHONE

Enabling Find My iPhone is a no-brainer. When turned on, you can see the location of your missing device using the Find My iPhone app on any iDevice or from any browser via iCloud. com. While we don't recommend tracking down an iPhone that's fallen into the hands of a thief, we've found it to be an excellent resource for tracking down your device if you lose it. The best thing about Find My iPhone is that if your device is stolen, you can remotely erase your device so that none of your personal information can be stolen too. To turn Find My iPhone on, simply go to Settings and select your Apple ID profile. Select iCloud > Find My iPhone, and then toggle Find My iPhone on.

SWITCH TO A SIX-DIGIT PASSCODE

If you've chosen not to switch to a longer passcode you should reconsider. Any inconvenience is worth the added security. The number of possible combinations for six digits versus four digits is huge. If you have a hard time remembering six digits, spell out a six-letter word for your passcode instead. To do this, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Change Passcode. When choosing a new passcode, select Passcode options and choose 6-Digit Numeric Code.

SET YOUR PHONE TO SELF-DESTRUCT

OK, so this setting doesn't literally make your phone self-destruct, but close enough. Instead, it will wipe your device clean after ten consecutive failed passcode attempts. I would only turn this setting on if you're super concerned about some of the information you have on your phone. People with children should be careful too, since ten failed attempts erases everything. But if you have auto iCloud backup enabled, the damage will be minimal. To turn on Erase Data, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and toggle on Erase Data.

CHANGE YOUR APPLE ID PASSWORD REGULARLY

Your Apple ID is incredibly important to your iPhone's overall security. Changing your Apple ID password regularly is the best way to ensure no one accesses it without your permission. I recommend creating a new Apple ID password every six months. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you can change your Apple ID password right on your device. Just go to Settings and select your Apple ID at the top. Select Password & Security and then Change Password.

BE SMART ONLINE, IN MESSAGES, AND WHEN OPENING EMAILS

A big way many hackers will get to your iPhone information remotely is through malware links and scammy emails. A good rule of thumb is to only open links, messages, and emails from sources you trust. If you receive any messages or emails from unknown senders asking for information, or if the message includes a random link or other suspicious text, simply delete it. Also be wary of hackers and scammers posing as companies like Paypal and Apple. I've gotten fake Paypal emails in the past telling me I'd been locked out of my account and that I need to click some- where and sign in. It looked completely legit. I clicked on the link, started to enter my info, and happened to look at the URL and see that it was a subtle variation of Paypal and not Paypal itself. Luckily, I caught it in time. I consider myself savvy to these types of things. But they still almost got me! Stay vigilant, my friends.

USE SECURE WI-FI & AVOID LOGINS IN PUBLIC

Public Wi-Fi is one of the easiest ways to get hacked since the network is inherently less secure. For paying bills, logging into accounts, and other private activity, it's highly recommended you use a closed Wi-Fi network, like the one you have set up at home. A lot of people need to use public Wi-Fi as they do the majority of their work in cafes. If that's you, consider downloading a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which will create a private security net around your internet activity.

ONLY USE TRUSTED CHARGING STATIONS

In the last few years, you may have noticed charging stations popping up in airports, cafes, and other public places. While these stations are designed to be convenient for our modern lives, they aren't guaranteed to be legitimate and could allow a hacker to access your information through a compromised port. The easiest way around this is to keep a small battery pack with you to charge your devices when they're low. That way, everything is charged at home but you also have extra power on-the-go. If you're in a tight spot and need to use a public charging space, just make sure it's legitimate and not just some random charger that showed up there.