iOS 15 brings several new security featurestothe iPhone.But ultimately, the security of a device is in the hands of the owner, who can choose to bolster that security or weaken it.
Here's what you need to know to make your iPhone a harder target for hackers and thieves.
Note that these settings also mostly apply to the iPad.
Here's how to find an effective Virtual Private Network service for both iOS-powered iPhones and Android smartphones.
Read nowFirst off, everything starts off with the basics.These haven't changed in years.
Use a strong passcode using Custom Alphanumeric Code (if this is easily guessable, it's game over).
A new feature in iOS 15 is the ability to log what apps are up to on your iPhone.The feature is called Record App Activity, and this allows you to get a lot of when an app does one of the following:
To enable this feature, go toSettings > Privacyand then scroll down to findRecord App Activity.
iOS 15 brings an end to having to fire up a third-party two-factor authenticator app.
Now Apple has built one right into iOS, and better still, it can even autofill the information for you.
Got toSettings > Passwords,and then for each password entry, you can tap on it to get access to an option calledSet Up Verification Codes...which allows you to enter the information required either using a setup key or QR code.
Using a two-factor authenticator is far more secure than relying on SMS messages, so you should use this feature -- either using Apple's authenticator or another app -- to get the highest security.
Safari can now cloak your IP address from trackers on websites, making it pretty much impossible for your browsing to be logged.
Go toSettings > Safariand setHide IP Address to From Trackers.
If you have an iCloud+ subscription, Apple has just given you a great reason to use the Safari browser -- iCloud Private Relay. This is like a VPN in that it sends your web traffic through other servers to keep your location secret.
To enable iCloud Private Relay, you'll need an iCloud+ subscription. Then go toSettings,and at the top, tap your name and then go toiCloudand enablePrivate Relay.
Protect Mail Activity is a feature built into the Mail app that prevents people from knowing if emails have been opened.
To enable this feature, go toSettings > Mail, tap onPrivacy Protectionand enableProtect Mail Activity.
If iCloud Private Relay is a good reason to switch to Safari, then this feature is a good reason to switch to Mail.