12 iOS 10 Security Settings You Must Update

Most of us prefer the iPhone or another iOS device because of its high-end security. To your surprise, this is the time where every other platform is at risk, some apps with malware have been spotted on the iTunes store. Even worse, iOS devices have also been victimized by the ransomware attacks. To cut a long story short, do not rely much on any system even if it is Apple’s product; cybercriminals have become very smart, smarter than you can even imagine. So, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Since the iPhone and iPad have also wrapped around the wind of hacking, it is quite essential to tweak some iOS 10 security settings so that you can be safe. (also see, THE ULTIMATE PRIVACY GUIDE)

Here Are Some iOS 10 Security Settings:

Setting Up Your Lock Screen Passcode:

One of the fundamental steps in tightening your iPhone or iPad’s security is to set up a lock screen passcode. This screen lock feature lets you use the full-disk encryption of iOS 10. Moreover, it is the first primary type of encryption that stop anybody to peep through your personal stuff in the device. In past incidents of hacking, it has been found out that setting up four digits passcode is easy to crack. So, if you wish to have the highest level of security, then you must consider setting up six or more digits passcode.

Here is how you can set up a password for the lock screen.

• Go to phone’s Settings > Touch ID & Passcode
• If you already set a passcode, change it with a longer code; if not, then the first tap Turn Passcode On.
• Now choose passcode options:

1. A custom alphanumeric: Passcode, having letters and numbers.
2. A numeric code: Passcode of sequence of numbers.
3. The standard, four-digit numeric code. (that’s not recommended for high-end security)

Be sure not to choose this much complicated passcode that’s even you can not remember; as nobody wants to lock oneself out of his own phone.

Enabling Two-Factor-Authentication:

Singularly, Two-Factor-Authentication has been one of the most robust iOS 10 security settings by far. And it is an essential step towards strengthening the security level of your iPhone or iPad. Hence, every iOS user should enable it on the Apple ID. As it is the best-proven way to prevent your Apple ID from hackers and cyber crooks. If you apply this two-factor-authentication, you will be required to input the code sent to your phone number or email after providing the password for your Apple ID. This way, a double layer of security check will be implemented. Even if anybody gets to know your password for Apple ID, he still can not make ways into your account because of this Two-factor-Authentication. Here is how you can enable Two-Factor-Authentication. (also read How to Secure Your Email-A complete Email Encryption Guide)

• Go to the Apple ID settings page via a computer and click on “Manage your Apple ID.”
• Sign in to your Apple ID account with your credentials( username and password).
• Click “Password and Security,” present on the left side of the screen.
• Tap “Get started” to enable two-factor-authentication.
• Go through the guidelines and click on Agree.
• Add iPhone or iPad o which you want to get the four-digit authentication code.
• If you own a separate iCloud account and App Store ID, you will need to use SMS to get the code.
• Note down your key somewhere so that in case you forget you can also fall back to that.
• Preferably, you should choose SMS to get the key, because even if you lose the phone, you can reissue the same SIM or asked your service provider to help you out.
• Lastly, you need to agree to the terms and conditions of applying two-factor-authentication.

Disabling Fingerprint Scanner:

Despite the latest biometric encryption trend, it is not much wise to enable it to a high level of security. It’s because, in the US, many of the cases have been reported when the Police force the suspects to give their finger impression on the phone. Moreover, if a person is sleeping next to its phone, anyone from family, friend or any wrongdoer can exploit this sleeping person’s vulnerability. So, it is better to disable it and nip this vulnerability into bud. Here is how you can do it.

• Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode.
• Move the white circle in front of Phone Unlock (turning it from green to white).
• Once you have disabled this fingerprint scanner, there is no way anyone can exploit this vulnerability.

Disabling “Today” Feature:

All the latest versions of iOS are embedded with this new feature called Today. When this feature is enabled, it shows the information about your day. Seemingly, it is somewhat unnecessary and counterintuitive for privacy and security reasons. It is because this feature kills the purpose of the lock screen that restrains people from knowing about our personal stuff. Follow the steps below in order to disable this widget.

• Swipe right on the home screen in a bid to access menu Today.
• Scroll down to Today menu and tap edit.
• Delete the panel as it is needed to ensure none of your information could be revealed when the device is locked.

Updating Your Notification Settings:

Similar to Today feature, this notification center also shows up all your apps alert in the notification center that pops up even if your phone is locked and anyone near you or having your locked phone could see that notification. To tweak this iOS 10 security settings, follow the steps given below.

• Open Settings > Notifications.
• Select the app for which you do not need your phone to notify you. Like Whatsapp, Message app, email, Facebook, etc.
• Individually, change the preview style. For the ultimate privacy available, turn off Show Previews so as not to let them pop on your phone’s locked screen.

Turning Off All Home Screen Function:

If you do not want to have the home screen feature or Today feature, it is possible to disable the whole widget. All you have to do is go to Settings and Apple ID & Passcode. Now scroll down to check which app pops up on your lock screen. Here you can switch all of them off as they are not necessary to keep them running. However, you can allow access to Siri when the phone is locked if you wish to do so.

Disabling iPhone’s Tracking:

“Frequent Locations” is the iPhone’s settings that let the tabs on where you go. Subsequently, it can keep a record of the place where you move and also, it stores the information about the time you spent on each location. This invasive feature should not be enabled as it leaves your personal data vulnerable. To tweak the iOS 10 security settings in order to disable this tracking feature, do as written below.

• Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services and then Frequent Locations.
• Now disable frequent location feature. Also, press the Clear History button to delete the history of your frequent visits.

(also check 5 BEST METHODS TO SECURE YOUR IPHONE OR IPAD FROM CYBER ATTACKS)

Enabling Password For Additional Purchases:

The password for other purchases in Apple store should be set up because it can protect you if your phone is in the hands of children, playing games. While playing children can accidentally purchase anything without your permission. But, if you set a password, they will not be able to do that. So, set your password for buying to protect yourself from unwanted purchases.

Turning Off Geo-location Tracking For Apps:

Every other app now uses the geo-location tracking feature of iPhone if you allow. If you disable this feature, the apps will no longer know where you are; irrespective of whether or not you are using the app. All you need to do is just do not allow the app to track your location when the question pops up while using the app.

Prevent Apps Uploading Your Data:

Everyone’s phone is the hub of their personal data, and if it is accessed by some third party, they could easily exploit the information stored on the phone. Often, when you download any app on your iPhone, they ask you whether or not to save your data. Simply do not give them permission to access your personal data.

On the other hand, if you have mistakenly permitted an app to store your data. There is one way by which you can siphon off the app from doing so. Go to Settings > Privacy > here you can tweak the settings in order to limit the access of the apps.

Enabling “Find My iPhone” Feature:

This is really one of the amazing iOS 10 security settings. Not only it lets you track your lost phone but also allows you to involve the police if needed. Here’s how you can do that:

• Go to Settings > iCloud > Find My iPhone.
•  Switch on this feature.

Configuring Automatic Expiration Time For iMessage:

iOS 10 allows you to send and receive voice and video messages via iMessage. These messages get stored in the phones memory. This is not good for you security n privacy as it can be exploited if accessed. So, toggle with the following iOS 10 security settings to turn it off.

• Go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages.
• Now choose the time duration till you want those messages to be saved on your device.
  

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, security matters for all. And particularly, iPhone and iPads are largely sold because of their high-end security. But it all nullifies if you do not tweak the iOS 10 security settings. (also see, 5 Best VPN For iPhone and iPad 2017)