10 Tips to Reduce the Chances of Your iPhone Hacked

Our smartphones save a lot of personal data. From photos to bank details, you must protect everything from hackers. While iPhones are known for strong security, they are not immune to threats. What if you find your iPhone hacked? Avoid such chances with the following security measures, especially for iOS devices. They are simple steps to keep your iPhone safe and sound from cyberattacks by Mobile Repair Dubai team.

1. Keep Your iPhone Up-to-Date

Your iPhone has been hacked – the simplest way to avoid this warning is to update the device regularly. Apple releases iOS updates periodically to patch vulnerabilities and fix bugs. Additionally, they include the latest security features.

Here’s how to update your iPhone and keep it away from hackers’ grip:

• Tap on Settings and scroll down to the option General. 
• Then, tap on General followed by Software Update.
• An option to Download and Install will appear if an iOS update is available. Tap on Download and Install.

Also, you can enable automatic updates. So, you won’t miss out on any important security patches.

2. Use Strong Passcodes

Often, compromised password iPhone incidents make the headline. Indeed, a weak passcode is like having the front door of your house wide open. Your iPhone’s passcode is the first line of defence against unauthorised access to your device. For instance, you should avoid simple combinations such as ‘000000’ or ‘123456’. Rather, choose complicated combinations.

Check out how you can set a strong passcode and save your device from being hacked:

• Open the Settings app and navigate to Face ID & Passcode. If your iPhone has a Home button then, go to Touch ID & Passcode.
• Next, tap on ‘Turn Passcode On’ if you haven’t enabled it yet.
• Tap on Change Passcode in case you want to create a new one.
• Select Custom Numeric Code or Custom Alphanumeric Code to make your passcode stronger.

We recommend a six-digit passcode or longer. However, using an alphanumeric passcode (a combination of letters and numbers) is always better.

3. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Is your iPhone hacked even after a strong passcode? Layer it up with the iPhone’s two-factor authentication or 2FA. Enabling this feature will require a second form of identification like a code sent to your device or email, apart from the passcode.

Here’s what you need to enable two-factor authentication for your Apple ID:

• Navigate to the Settings app and tap on your name.
• After that, tap on Password & Security.
• Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
• Then, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup.

With 2FA enabled, it gets difficult for hackers to get unauthorised access.

4. Activate Find My iPhone

iPhone service experts recommend turning on Find My iPhone. Indeed, it’s the best bet for retrieving your iOS device and its data even if it gets lost or stolen. Is your iPhone not turning on? Don’t worry as the Find My iPhone feature allows you to:

• Track your iPhone’s real-time location.
• Remotely lock the device.
• Even erase all your data to prevent unauthorised access.

Enable Find My iPhone with the steps below:

• Check out Settings and tap on your name.
• Afterwards, tap on Find My.
• Then, choose Find My iPhone and toggle it on.
• Also, you can enable the option ‘Send Last Location’. This feature will send the device’s last known location to Apple when the battery is too low.

How can you spot your iPhone through the Find My option? Simply, go to iCloud.com if your iPhone is lost or stolen. Also, you can use the Find My application on another device and take the required action.

5. Refrain from Using Public Wi-Fi

Especially, when you are about to proceed with sensitive transactions. Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafeterias and airports, seem convenient but you don’t know what’s waiting for you on the other end. 

Indeed, cybercriminals can set up fake Wi-Fi networks (or evil twins). They can intercept your data and steal personal information. And, to your surprise, you find the iPhone hacked.

Here’s how you can extend your iPhone security:

• Don’t access sensitive accounts such as shopping or online banking when you use public Wi-Fi.
• Utilise a VPN. A VPN can safeguard your data and traffic even when you are on public networks.
• Additionally, turn off the Wi-Fi feature on your iPhone when not in use. This will prevent your device from connecting to untrusted networks automatically.

6. Be Careful about Phishing Scams

Probably, you know what phishing is. Phishing is a technique that hackers use to trick you into exposing sensitive information. Hackers can pretend to be a trustworthy entity and force you to share passwords or even credit card numbers.

However, phishing attempts can come in different forms – emails, texts, and even phone calls.

Here’s how you can spot phishing attempts:

• Be mindful of unsolicited messages asking for personal or financial information.
• Also, look for spelling and grammatical errors in texts or emails.
• Make sure you don’t click on suspicious links or attachments. They might seem to come from a legitimate source.

In case you ever receive a text message that asks you to log into your account, don’t use the link there. Instead, you can directly visit the app or website to verify the request.

7. Limit App Permissions

If not careful, apps can access a lot of your information, such as:

• Contacts
• Location
• Microphone
• Camera, etc.

Hence, you must review app permissions and restrict them if you find them unnecessary. Now, here’s how you can manage app permissions for iPhone protection:

• Start by entering Settings.
• Now, scroll down until you find the app that you want to review.
• Tap on the app and toggle permissions on or off based on the app’s needs.

For instance, you can disable the app’s access to the microphone or camera if you think that they are of no use. Repeat the same steps for other apps you want to review. Additionally, be mindful of granting permissions while downloading new apps.

8. Back-Up Your Data Using iCloud

Data backup is not only a smart move against your device getting stolen or damaged but also against ransomware and other digital threats. In fact, iPhone service experts recommend backing up your device through iCloud. So, turn on iCloud backup and keep your iPhone backed up automatically.

• Visit Settings and tap on your Apple ID or name.
• After that, tap on iCloud.
• Select iCloud Backup and turn it on.
• Tap on ‘Back Up Now’ to start a manual backup.

From now on, your data will be automatically saved to your iCloud account. Thus, you can retrieve your data even in the case of a compromised password iPhone.

9. Beware of Third-Party Apps

The App Store is a relatively safe space to download your apps from. Still, not all apps are created equal. Indeed, some third-party apps may request more access and they might interfere with iPhone protection.

iPhone service centres are even afraid that some apps might try to steal personal information. Here are some heads-ups to stay safe.

• Make sure you download apps from trusted developers. Don’t forget to check the developers’ user reviews before downloading any of their apps.
• In addition, avoid installing apps that request excessive permissions.
• Regularly review all the installed apps. Erase any app that you no longer need.

10. Fortify Lock Screen Settings

Your iPhone has been hacked. Before you receive such a warning, you should boost your iPhone’s lock screen barriers. Indeed, your lock screen is the first roadblock between your information and potential hackers. So, you must keep the iPhone’s lock screen settings enhanced for better iPhone protection.

Here’s how to configure your lock screen settings:

• Follow the path: Settings → Display & Brightness.
• Then, tap Auto-Lock and choose a short timeout.
• Also, turn on Require Passcode Immediately for maximum security.

Thus, you will ensure that your iPhone locks quickly after use. This reduces the window of opportunity for hackers to physically access your device.

Contact for iPhone Repair Dubai

Keeping your iPhone safe from hackers needs a combination of vigilance, smart settings, and consistent updates. Also, you can install antivirus or anti-malware software for your iPhone. Is your iPhone hacked? In that case, connect to the iPhone repair dubai service to get rid of the nuisance and keep your data safe.