The 9 best iPhone security tips to protect yourself from malware!
It is quite common for iPhone users to think that the Apple smartphone cannot be infected by malware, but unfortunately, this no longer holds true. In recent years, we have seen some good examples of how these devices can be affected and how this malware can easily be infiltrated without the user’s knowledge, users to follow some iPhone security tips.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance to be very careful. After all, thinking that your device is immune generally makes the user act more recklessly than normal. So, nothing better than knowing some tips that can be very useful to protect your iPhone from malware, right?! Check out our list down below to know all the best security tips for your iPhone!
1. Know the risks
How to protect your iPhone? The first step to protect your iPhone from viruses is to know that the risk of malware exists. After all, this already makes you much more cautious and aware of the need to take security seriously.
One tip we can give you is that you should always search on the internet to find out about possible recent threats that may have invaded iPhones around the world. Not long ago, a malware called XcodeGhost managed to infiltrate thousands of Apple smartphones through applications downloaded from the App Store itself.
This makes it clear that it is no longer necessary for you to jailbreak to start worrying about malware infection and any device is vulnerable to attacks of this type. So be aware and pay attention to our security tips to better protect your iPhone.
2. Don’t jailbreak your iPhone
Of course, we had to talk more about the jailbreak mentioned in the topic above, since it opens even more doors for possible malware on your iPhone. By performing this procedure, you will gain some very cool benefits, such as the possibility to install even more apps and have much more comprehensive access to the system, but the risks may not be worth it.
By removing all restrictions imposed by Apple, you also remove much of the security that the company tries to provide with its closed ecosystem. You will be more vulnerable to malicious apps and it will take time to receive updates, which in itself can bring security risks since any bugs or problems discovered in your iOS version will not be fixed for longer than normal.
3. If you do, be careful
If you have already jailbroken, or you are set on going ahead with it anyway, we can only recommend that you be very careful with your iPhone. After all, jailbreaking does not mean that malware will jump in to attack your device automatically, and that kind of thing depends completely on the way the user behaves and uses their iPhone.
One of the most important iPhone security tips that we can give out, in this case, is that you always use Cydia (the software that allows the installation of apps that are not in the App Store), since it is much better known and safe than other similar apps. Still, even Cydia is not yet able to offer App Store-levels of security.
You also need to choose your apps very carefully and do a lot of research before installing them. Even though many people speak well of a specific app, chances are it is infected with malware, so remember to be very cautious in this regard.
4. Keep your device up to date
iPhone malware, as we said earlier, is always improving, so keeping your iPhone up to date is extremely important, as it is the updates that ensure that any security breaches or system bugs are fixed before anyone can maliciously take advantage of these problems.
And we’re not just talking about the big updates and new versions of iOS that come out every year with the new Apple devices, but the little updates and hotfixes that are released more often with the intention of fixing these possible little problems.
These updates are always notified via notifications on your device, so there’s no excuse to ignore this security tip and leave your iPhone out of date!
5. Use only trusted connections
We are sure that this risk does not even cross the mind of most iPhone users, but it is also necessary to be very careful with the places where you connect your smartphone, granting it a spot among the security tips. Do this only on trusted computers and avoid connecting the device to public devices to better secure your iPhone.
It may seem like an exaggeration, but in 2013 it was discovered that it was possible to hide a small device in public iPhones chargers to gain access to information from the devices that were connected to them. So, think twice before you plug on your iPhone anywhere.
6. Install anti-malware apps
There aren’t many anti-malware apps on the App Store to protect your iPhone, but you can still find some, like Lookout (which can be downloaded from this link). It is very reliable and functional, having an excellent reputation among Android users for a long time.
It also offers some interesting features that help you find lost iPhones and back up many of your files. Lookout is still completely free and it really pays to consider this tip and have a little more security on your iPhone.
7. Avoid strange profiles
Some developers can set up configuration profiles so that their apps can be installed correctly or to be able to connect to wireless networks. So far, this is perfectly normal and useful in many cases, but one of the best security tips is to keep an eye out for strange profiles on your iPhone.
To do this, just go to “Settings”, select the “General” tab and look for the profile management option. There, you should see things related to the apps you have installed on your smartphone, but if you find anything strange or related to something you have not installed, it is best to remove it immediately. It may be some type of malware that has access to your iPhone without you knowing it.
8. Don’t browse strange websites…
Sites of dubious origin or content also contribute to your iPhone catching some viruses or malware. Safari (one of the best web browsers) guarantees, at the outset, greater security in this regard, as it sends an alert every time a website tries to send malware to your smartphone. Don’t ignore these warnings.
9. Restore your iPhone!
If you happen to be infected with a virus, don’t worry. After all, there is always a way around this. When you see a message saying that you have been infected or suspect that it has happened, the best thing you can do is to restore your iPhone. If you don’t know how to do it, the third tip in this article will surely help you.
Did you like the iPhone security tips?
So, did you take advantage of our security tips to protect your iPhone from malware and malicious apps? Share this article with people that could also make the most of these tips, as being safe is never a bad thing!
Don’t forget to also learn what to do when your iPhone won’t charge, how to extend an iPhone’s battery lifespan, and how to avoid making any of the most common iPhone charging mistakes!