The belief that iOS is a more secure system than Android, and this is a very half truth, since like any system, it is as safe as its weakest link, and as in any system intended for the public, that link is us.
Today I want to take the opportunity to provide you with a list of tips to considerably improve the security of your data, since we always think that hacker attacks are things from the movies or are limited to celebrities, but this is not the case, any of us can be the victim of a malicious attack at any time.
Although it is true that the attacks that cause the most impact are some such as the attack on Sony, Celebgate or the DDoS denials of service to the Playstation Network or Microsoft servers, any of us can be the victim of an attack on a small scale at any time of the day, whether in a cafeteria connected to its WiFi, in an airport using the free network or even sleeping at home while someone tries to access our iCloud account.
And it is that no matter how closed iOS is and many layers of security that it includes, if we do not a good use of themthey are useless. That is why I want to promote the practices that make up the following list, each one will serve to make your digital life a safer and more private life.
Security advice
- Activate the system as soon as possible two step verification From Apple, including a new device may take a minute longer next time, but it can save you a lot of trouble, if not ask Katniss Everdeen.
- Use a VPN connection Whenever you connect to a WiFi network without a password (Non-Secure calls), in this way you will encrypt all your connections and you will be able to browse without worrying that someone could intercept and read them.
- Take a tour of the iOS Settings app Up to the last corner, surely you can find small adjustments that better adapt your smartphone to your way of life and get rid of any worries (if you have any questions about something you find, you can always come to us to learn more).
- Don't press the button "Trust" when you connect your iPhone to a computer that is not yours, and if you only do it with those that you are going to use iTunes really better still. Pressing on this button implies giving a computer access to all the data that your device includes, not pressing it will make that computer only able to charge the battery of our device without accessing its file system.
- If you have the jailbreak, don't install neither "afc2add", neither "House Arrest FixedNor "OpenSSH«, If you need these tweaks for something be sure to uninstall them when you finish your goal to close the door to possible attacks.
- Set a complex password and use TouchID, an iPhone without a password is an invitation to your most intimate data, by accessing your iPhone they can see your life in photographs, locate your home, your work, the places you go the most, access your social networks, your notes, your contact book, your emails, your messages and a long etc ...
If you do not want your private life to become public, put a secure password on your iPhone, with TouchID you will not have to put it again until you restart the iPhone, and by putting it once every 2 days nothing will happen to you.
- Encrypt your backups in iTunes, It is as simple as setting a password that you will be asked when you want to restore them. Leaving your backup copies untaped implies that anyone who has access to your computer will have access to all the data on your devices, and that is that from a backup copy you can extract everything mentioned in the previous point and more, including files that on your iPhone are protected by an app that requires a password. And if the computer is familiar, think about whether you would like anyone to be able to access all that data, including WhatsApp conversations, iMessage or the application you use.
- Take a good look at the web addresses When you are accessing an important service through a link in an email or similar, always keep in mind that the appearance of a website is easily supplantable, the URL No. That is why you should always look at the address bar (not the name of the website, but its address), the address will have a "https://www. style" format.actualidadiphone.com", if you access an Apple website and the url begins with strange names and numbers, it is a clear indication that the website has been impersonated, and this could be a case of phishing, thanks to which you would be giving away your Apple ID and password when entering it on the web.
If the web starts with "HTTPS" instead of "HTTP" much better, this confirms that your data is transmitted securely and encrypted to the server.
- Always turn on Find My iPhone on your device, this will prevent anyone from claiming it if for whatever reason you lose it, in addition, you will be able to locate it in case of loss and even display messages on your screen to recover it. Once this service is activated with the iCloud Activation Lock, this means that no one can reactivate that iPhone, not even after restoring it, if they do not have your Apple ID and password.
- In your contact book, in your own, try not to write your Apple ID mail the first, or skip it directly, this is because someone can ask Siri from the lock screen «Who I am?»And the assistant will innocently show you all the information that you have saved about yourself in your agenda.
- Always fight for your privacy and the security of your data, even if this means abandoning WhatsApp due to its lousy encryption system or poor security measures.
If you do not fight for your privacy, you will make things simple for people who want to take control of your data, and believe me, the day that passes you will regret not having protected yourself better. On the other hand, our data is ours, and that companies like Facebook or Google offer their services for free should make you suspicious, this happens because our data is our payment currency, then Facebook charges advertisers for them and presents us with personalized advertising based on our age, gender, tastes, browsing history, likes, location, etc ...
For now these are the main tips, the main thing is to always be aware that the danger is real and take action on the matter, of course this can be difficult at first, but it is not complicated at all, it is as simple as being well informed and we will avoid many embarrassing situations or headaches.
If you have more questions about iOS security measures and you want Deepen the subject you can go to this link: IOS Security Notes
