Billions of iPhone users issued official Apple warning over ‘secret codes’ that leave you vulnerable – 4 steps to safety
IPHONE owners have been urged to keep their password and Apple ID safe from prying eyes.
Keeping your iPhone PIN and Apple ID safe is one of the most important things you can do to protect your personal information.
If someone has access to your device or account credentials, they can wreak havoc on your life.
Just to name a few examples, they could access your bank accounts, sensitive files or photos, and credit card numbers.
For this reason, Apple implores all iPhone users to keep their data safe from everyone.
To do so, the tech giant has outlined four important steps you can take today to help keep your data safe.
ENABLE 2FA
Two-factor authentication (2FA) protects your accounts by requiring an extra level of verification before logging in – such as a text confirmation.
Apple, on its website, described 2FA as “an extra layer of security” that is designed to “ensure that you’re the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password.”
The feature is helpful in keeping apps that contain sensitive information (such as banking or investment details) secure, and can also help protect you from identity and phishing scams.
To turn on Apple’s built-in authenticator, head to Settings > Passwords > tap on the account you want to set up 2FA for.
Click on Set Up Verification Code > choose either Enter Setup Key or Scan QR Code.
If you choose Setup Key, go into the app or website’s page, and copy their Setup key.
Simply paste the code into your iPhone’s Settings Setup Key field and then tap OK.
Should you choose the QR code option, you will have to look in that service/website’s settings and then scan it.
KEEP APPLE ID PASSWORD PRIVATE
This may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised at how many people give out passwords.
To be on the safe side, Apple recommends that you don’t share your passwords with anyone.
The company also urges you to use a strong password for your Apple ID—eight or more characters, including upper and lowercase letters and at least one number.
DONT SHARE AN APPLE ID
Never share your Apple account with other people, even family members.
“Sharing an Apple ID means that you’re giving someone else access to all of your personal content,” Apple noted on a support page.
“If someone else helped you set up your Apple ID and password, change your password,” the company added.
KEEP ACCOUNT UP TO DATE
Like the aforementioned steps, it’s also important to keep your Apple ID info up to date.
That’s because Apple notifies you by email, text, or notification when changes are made to your account.
Therefore, if your account isn’t updated, you may never receive an important notification, such as someone logging into your account.
“If you receive a notification, but don’t remember making changes, someone else might have wrongfully accessed your account,” Apple said.
“You should change your password immediately and always keep your account information up to date,” the tech giant added.