How to secure an iPhone: Superman level protection for your iPhone

Can someone hack my iPhone? Is the iPhone more secure than other smartphones? How to secure an iPhone from hackers?

These are the questions I often get bombarded with by iPhone users. As we all know, big brands like Apple focus on offering top-notch security to their customers; their products tend to offer a bit more protection than others, with privacy protection being a key reason why iPhones are considered secure.

But that doesn’t mean your iPhone is immune to cyber attacks from hackers. As these are high-end phones, hackers are always snooping around to get into them. So how to protect your iPhone from hackers? How to set iPhone security settings?

Well, there are some crucial steps that you should take to minimize the risk of getting hacked. This security guide will share some simple tips that will add an extra layer of security to your iPhone.

Let’s dive in.

How to secure an iPhone from hackers?

This security guide will help you protect your iPhone from common threats. The iPhone’s built-in privacy features are essential for safeguarding your personal data against hacking, identity theft, and unauthorized access.

It’s also important to be aware that app developers can pose privacy and security risks by collecting excessive data, so managing app permissions is crucial.

Keep your iPhone updated

As I already mentioned, Apple is dead-serious about its customers’ security & privacy. So they release regular updates for them. Each update comes with a new security patch, bug fixes & security fixes.

To maximize your iPhone’s security, enable automatic updates for both the operating system and specific apps. This ensures you receive timely security patches and system improvements without manual intervention.

So if you own an iPhone, the first step you can take to secure your it is by installing regular updates. As hackers usually target devices with older OS, this will keep you off their radar.

It’s very simple to install an update on your iPhone (which I am sure you are well aware of!).

But if you don’t know, follow these steps:

• Go to “Settings”
• Navigate to “General”
• Click on “Software Update”
• Download & Install the update if available

Note: To keep your device fully secure, also check for updates for specific apps in the App Store and enable automatic updates for apps whenever possible.

Create tricky password

It goes without saying that your iPhone needs a strong & complex password. In addition to a strong password, setting a strong passcode for your iPhone is essential to protect your device from unauthorized access.

Make your passcode a bit lengthy & avoid using any personal information like your DOB, first name, partner’s name, pet’s name, or address.

Reason? Human psychology! People tend to use this information while setting a password & hackers know it. So if you are using these names, there is a higher risk of your password or passcode being compromised.

When creating a passcode, you can choose from different types of passcodes, such as a six-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code, or an alphanumeric passcode for enhanced security. Creating a strong passcode adds an extra layer of protection, especially when used alongside Face ID or Touch ID.

If you want to change passcode, go to your iPhone’s Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and follow the prompts to update it. Regularly changing your passcode helps keep your device secure.

The iPhone passcode plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive data and enabling security features, especially when biometric authentication is unavailable. Passcodes are a fundamental part of your iPhone’s layered security approach.

So I recommend using the random name, location, or anything that doesn’t relate directly to you. You can use iCloud Keychain to generate random & complex passwords for your iPhone.

Enabling Biometric Authentication

One of the most effective ways to secure your iPhone and protect your sensitive data is by enabling biometric authentication. With Face ID or Touch ID, only you can unlock your device, access private information, and authorize Apple Pay or App Store purchases.

These features use your unique face or fingerprint, making it much harder for anyone else to gain access, even if your iPhone is lost or stolen.

No Jail Breaking, please!

People often jailbreak their iPhone, thinking it will boost their iPhones efficiency. The truth is exactly the opposite! Once you Jailbreak your iPhone, I agree that you can enjoy a wide range of apps that are not available on your Apple store.

But once you jailbreak, your warranty goes void. So if something goes south, you won’t get support from Apple.

Moreover, you expose your phone to malicious hackers & viruses that can infect your phone via third-party apps. Jailbreaking also increases the risk of data breaches, as unauthorized apps can access and leak your personal information. This will result in massive security breaches & data theft. And I am sure you do not want that.

So please avoid jailbreaking your iPhone.

Get Malware protection software & Ad-blocking tools

As mentioned above, if you don’t jailbreak your iPhone, you minimize the risk of facing malware attacks. But I said “minimize”, not eliminate.

So it’s always advisable to get Malware protection software & Ad-blocking tools. These tools identify malicious-looking ads & block them before they infect your phone. Attackers can also exploit mobile device management profiles if your device is compromised, gaining control over your phone, especially in enterprise environments.

If you search online, you’ll get many such tools. Some of them are free, while some will charge you.

I use Purify on my AdGaurd. Although it charges a bit, it’s safe & efficient.

Avoid Public Charging Stations

Sounds weird? Wait till you read the explanation! You’ll always find iPhone charging stations on Metro stations, cafes, restaurants & other public places. It offers a lot of convenience to the users, as iPhones are not particularly well-known for battery backup!

But these public charging stations pose a serious threat. As the Lightning cables act as a charging cable and data transmission cable, hackers can easily steal your data from such public charging stations.

Additionally, be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi in these locations. Public Wi-Fi can expose your iPhone to hackers and put your sensitive information at risk. To protect your privacy and data when using public Wi-Fi, always use a VPN.

Solution? The good old power bank. You can check various power banks for iPhones here. Keep it charged, keep it around you whenever you are travelling & that is it! You are safe.

Get a reliable VPN

VPN is the ultimate protection you can offer to your iPhone! It masks your location whenever you are online. VPN bounces your signal from different servers across the globe, ensuring hackers do not trace back the origin of data to your device.

This offers an added layer of security to your iPhone and helps protect your privacy when browsing the internet, especially on unsecured networks.

For Safari users with iCloud+, Apple’s private relay is another privacy feature that protects your browser traffic by preventing network providers from tracking your activity. However, private relay only works with Safari and is not a full VPN replacement.

But there is a catch! If you are using free-VPN services, the risk of your iPhone getting hacked increases instead.

Reason? Why would someone offer free service to you? Such free VPNs steal your data sell it to the highest bidder. So always choose a trustworthy VPN service like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

You can either download their native app if you are using the latest Apple OS. If not, you can manually install a VPN on your iPhone.

Final Thoughts

Using an iPhone is a different experience in itself. But you can enjoy all its features only when you are sure about its security.

The first step towards iPhone security starts with your self-awareness. For iPhone security tips,
I hope this detailed guide will assist you in keeping your iPhone safe.

If you are looking for ways to secure your android Phone, don’t forget to read my detailed guide for protecting your Android phone here.

More resources to secure your iPhone:

• Use the built-in security and privacy protections of iPhone from Apple Support
• Device and Data Access when Personal Safety is At Risk from Apple Manuals

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