Every time we use a mobile device, we are exposed to risks related to the to maximise security and your enjoyment. and PrivacyiPhones, known for their robustness in data protection, offer multiple tools to protect our personal information and although Apple has designed its devices with a high security standard, it is important to know and activate the appropriate security options on iPhone to maximize the protection of our data.
To that end, in this article, we explore all the relevant security and privacy features you can set up on your iPhone.
Control access to your apps' information
The iOS operating system allows you to decide which apps can access your personal information, such as contacts or photos, as many apps request permissions to use this data, but you can easily adjust these settings from the “Privacy” section in Settings.
For example, if you install a messaging app, This may ask for access to your contactsIf you're not sure whether to grant this permission, disable it. It's safer to limit access to information whenever possible. You can turn it on or off at any time.
Additionally, on newer devices, you can find features like «App Privacy Report», which shows you how apps are using the permissions you've granted them.
Protection during tracking and tracing
Another important point in the privacy settings is the tracking control and locationMany apps and websites collect location data for advertising or service improvements, but you can also limit or disable this tracking.
To do this, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. There you can completely disable the tracking option or configure it for specific apps. This will prevent third parties from accessing your location without your consent.
The “Location” section also lets you set when and how apps can access your iPhone’s GPS, and there you can select whether you prefer to grant access only while using the app, always allow it, or simply deny access.
Security Check: Review what you share
The “Safety Check” feature It is designed for situations where you need to quickly modify your privacy settings.This may include stopping location tracking for specific contacts or limiting certain apps' access to your data.
To access this feature, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Security Checkup. You will be able to manage what information you share and with whom in a discreet manner. You can also perform an emergency reset to immediately cut off all shared connections.
Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
The first security barrier of your iPhone is the password o access code. Replacing the traditional 4-digit code with a more complex password combining letters, numbers and symbols will add an extra layer of security.
Additionally, activate the two factor authentication for your Apple ID. This feature will send you a verification code every time you sign in from a new device. You can set it up from Settings > [Your name] > Password & Security.
Protecting Privacy in Mail and Safari
Email and internet browsing are two areas where the Privacy may be more exposed. In Mail, you can turn on Privacy Protection to prevent senders from tracking whether you've read their emails or your online activity. Go to Settings > Mail > Privacy Protection and turn on the appropriate option.
In Safari, make sure to turn on the «Preventing cross-site tracking». This will prevent trackers from collecting your activity across different websites. You can also use the “Private Browsing” option for specific sessions.
Lost mode and theft protection
The Find My iPhone feature not only allows you to locate your device if it is lost, but can also mark it as lost. This automatically locks stored information and adds access restrictions.
In more critical situations, you can enable the «Protection in case of theft», which requires additional biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) before making certain major configuration changes.
From iPhoneA2We believe that adopting these security settings not only enhances your privacy, but also minimizes unnecessary risks, so taking a few minutes every now and then to explore these options will help keep your data and device safer.