If you turn off everything they say you might as well go back to a flip
phone. OK, maybe not quite, but if you compare it to your car and the
risk
of it being stolen then maybe it's something like don't simply lock your
car, also put one of those sticks on the steering wheel and while you are
at
it you better carry a big backpack and remove the battery and bring it
with
you.
-----Original Message-----
From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf
Of M. Taylor
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2017 9:10 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: 24 iOS 11 Privacy & Security Settings You Should Check Right Now
24 iOS 11 Privacy & Security Settings You Should Check Right Now by Jake
Peterson
Your iPhone has a lot of personal information contained within it, so of
course you want your device to be secure. You don't want that information
getting into the wrong hands - or any hands other than your own, for that
matter.
This guide breaks down the new privacy settings in iOS 11 that you should
check, along with settings that have existed since previous versions of
iOS.
Make sure to read this list carefully, and check any settings that apply
to
you. After all, you don't want your valuable data escaping the confines
of
your iPhone. Study this list, and you should be well armed against any
hackers, thieves, and nosy neighbors.
1.
Face ID (iPhone X Only)
Now, I'm sure there will be a heated argument about this one, but hear me
out. Apple claims that the chance of a false positive is literally one in
a
million with Face ID. Compare that to their claim of one in 50,000 for
Touch
ID, and Face ID sounds pretty secure.
But this article is about maximizing privacy. Not only is there a chance,
however small, that an intruder's face will let them unlock your phone,
there's a higher chance that your own face can be used against you.
Eliminate that risk altogether by disabling Face ID under Settings ->
Face
ID & Passcode.
2.
Temporarily Disable Face ID (iPhone X Only) If you must keep Face ID on,
you're not completely out of luck here. Apple has included a quick way to
disable Face ID temporarily, in case you know your physical security is
about to become compromised.
Check out our guide to find out more about this option, which leaves your
phone's security in the hands of your passcode.
3.
Passcode
The default iPhone passcode is six-digits long, although the four-digit
passcode is still very popular since it used to be iPhone's default.
Chances
are, your iPhone's passcode is one of these two options.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with using these passcode limits,
they aren't the most secure. A four-digit passcode has 10,000 possible
combinations, which, considering there are 85.8 million iPhone users in
the
United States alone, means there aren't enough unique combinations to go
around.
Increasing that number to six helps, since a six-digit combination has
one
million permutations. But now we're back to the one-in-a-million chance
that
Face ID gets you.
If you really want to make sure your iPhone is secure, change your
passcode
to a password. Using a true password with a combination of letters,
numbers,
and special characters will make your lock screen virtually impenetrable.
But, that's totally obnoxious. Manually entering a convoluted password
into
your phone every time you want to use it is not really practical. We're
just
letting you know it's the most secure way to lock your phone.
If you'd rather stick to something easy, make sure to use a six-digit
passcode over a four-digit one. Make sure to avoid common passcodes like
123456, or six of the same number.
To change your iPhone's password, go to Settings -> Touch ID & Passcode
->
Change Passcode. Enter your old password when prompted, then tap
"Passcode
Options" to choose which type of passcode you'd like to make.
4.
Show Parked Location
If you connect your iPhone to your car either through Bluetooth or
CarPlay,
your iPhone may be recording the location of where you park. To some,
that
might be a helpful feature. To others, it's an invasion of privacy.
To disable this feature, go to Settings -> Maps, then disable "Show
Parked
Locations."
5.
Significant Locations
You may think you know nothing about Apple's new "Significant Locations,"
but if you remember Frequent Locations, they're essentially the same.
Apple
records a list of your most frequently visited locations, which, on paper
adds some convenience to apps that use your location.
However, this may serve as a privacy issue to you. If you'd rather not
have
Apple recording your most frequent locations, just head to Settings ->
Privacy -> Location Services -> System Services -> Significant Locations.
From here, you can also clear the history that your phone may have
accumulated over time.
6.
Location-Based Alerts, Apple Ads & Suggestions These next three options
have
remained the same across the update, however, they're still important to
know and understand. When enabled, these selections track your location
to
provide targeted notifications, advertisements, and options. Let's just
say,
they're not the most privacy-centric features in iOS 11. Actually, quite
the
opposite - this is some Minority Report-level stuff.
If you'd rather not be specifically targeted by Apple wherever you go,
here's what to do: Settings -> Privacy -> System Services. From here, you
can deactivate "Location-Based Alerts," "Location-Based Apple Ads," and
"Location-Based Suggestions."
7.
Share My Location
Share My Location is a setting that allows your phone to send your
current
whereabouts to a friend who requests it. Usually, you need to mutually
agree
to this arrangement with another person using the Find My Friends app.
However, there are ways of tracking your iPhone without your permission.
If you'd like to avoid that risk altogether, disable the option by going
to
Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> Share My Location.
Alternatively, you can change the device that shares your location, if
you
have more than one attached to your Apple ID. You can also check with
friends of yours you have approved to view your location.
8.
Analytics
Apple changed the name of "Diagnostics & Usage" to "Analytics." This area
contains settings that share data from your phone to Apple, in an effort
to
help identify bugs in the system and make iOS better overall. Think of it
like a beta test, only for the official iOS 11 release.
While this information helps Apple keep iOS 11 running smoothly, you may
feel it's sharing too much without your knowledge. If you'd like to shut
down that line of hidden communication, go to Settings -> Privacy ->
Analytics.
From here, you have many options you can disable:
. To disable all analytics with Apple, simply turn off "Share iPhone &
Watch Analytics."
. "Share With App Developers" shares your app data with that app's
developer. Disable this setting to close that line of communication.
. "Share iCloud Analytics" shares your iCloud data with Apple to help
them improve on apps and services associated with that information.
Sounds
like an unnecessary setting to someone concerned about privacy.
. "Improve Health & Activity" will share your health and activity data
with Apple to improve these services on your iPhone. Personally, the only
person I want knowing my daily step-count is myself.
. "Improve Wheelchair Mode" will send Apple your activity data if you
use a wheelchair. If you don't use a wheelchair, you especially don't have
a
use for this setting, but if you do, turn this off as you did "Improve
Health & Activity."
9.
Limit Ad Tracking
If you prefer your ads to be directly targeted towards you and your
interests, you can leave this alone. However, if you care about your
privacy, you may not like Apple sharing your data with advertisers.
This setting is one you actually turn on rather than off. Go to Settings
->
Privacy -> Advertising, then enabled "Limit Ad Tracking." Notice how the
option is Limit Ad Tracking, not Stop Ad Tracking. Even with this setting
enabled, Apple claims that your iPhone connectivity, time setting, type,
language, and location can be used to target advertising. If you disabled
Location-Based Ads, location targeting will not apply to you, but all
others
will. Tap "View Ad Information" to learn more.
10.
Raise to Wake
Raise to Wake can be extremely convenient - simply raise your phone from
a
flat position, and it will wake up for you to use. It feels natural,
however, it poses a privacy risk. If your iPhone turns face-up
accidentally,
those in view of the display may see messages and notifications you did
not
intend for them to see.
To avoid this scenario, head over to Settings -> Display & Brightness,
then
disable "Raise to Wake."
11.
Lock Screen Widgets
Lock screen widgets are great ways to keep up with your messages,
notifications, weather updates, whatever you need to know without having
to
unlock your iPhone. But that's just it - you don't need to unlock your
iPhone to see this information. Anyone can pick up your iPhone and
potentially see what your calendar for the day is, or who's texting you
what.
To stop this privacy-breach in its tracks, you could hit "Edit" at the
bottom of the lock screen, then delete all widgets. However, you will
lose
those widgets when you've unlocked your phone as well, not just on the
lock
screen.
If you want to deactivate the widgets for only the lock screen, jump over
to
the article below.
12.
Reply with Message
Introduced in iOS 10, your iPhone gives you the option to 3D Touch
messages
to reply from your lock screen. While fun and useful, the feature is also
easily accessed by other people.
If you're worried about those around you replying to incoming messages on
your iPhone, you might want to disable this one. Check out the article
below
to find out how.
13.
Control Center
iOS 11's Control Center is a major change from previous designs. We've
never
had the ability to customize our Control Centers, and with that comes
more
options than ever. Unfortunately, those added apps and features means
more
privacy risks for your device.
While most content-sensitive apps require a passcode from the lock screen
to
access, some do not, or, at the very least, give users limited access
without having to unlock the iPhone. For example, while you cannot see
written notes without unlocking the phone, anyone is able to write a note
from the Control Center, if you have Control Center notes activated.
You can disable any apps from the Control Center that you don't want
people
having access to, but that means you won't be able to access them when
your
phone is unlocked, either. An alternative option is to disable Control
Center entirely from the lock menu, by going to Settings -> Touch ID &
Passcode and disabling the switch next to "Control Center." We'll talk
more
about Passcode Lock later.
One app that I would highly recommend disabling from Control Center is
Wallet. While you do need your Touch ID or passcode to access any credit
cards stored in your iPhone, other types of cards, like Starbucks, Dunkin
Donuts, travel passes, and various other loyalty cards, do not. If you
want
to prevent others from gaining access to these forms of currency, disable
Wallet from Control Center.
You can customize your Control Center items by going to Settings ->
Control
Center -> Customize.
14.
Ask Websites Not to Track Me (Safari)
Formally known as Do Not Track Me, this setting lets users decide whether
or
not to allow Safari to share your phone's IP address with the websites
you
visit. You will mostly likely not wish to share this information with
websites, so to enable this setting, head to Settings -> Safari, then
enable
the switch next to "Ask Websites Not to Track Me."
15.
Block All Cookies
Cookies allow websites to save bits of your information, so that when you
return, the website can load for you faster. While convenient, cookies
certainly aren't privacy-forward.
In iOS 11, Apple has taken away various options for blocking cookies, in
favor for a blanket ban on all. While you may notice a difference in
performance on some sites, at least you know you're securing your
privacy.
To disable cookies, go to Settings -> Safari, then turn on the "Block All
Cookies" option.
16.
App & Website Passwords
Your iPhone, along with your iCloud account, has a built-in password
manager
to make entering passwords easier and more secure. These passwords are
protected by Touch ID or your iPhone's passcode, however, if your iPhone
is
breached, an assailant would have access to all of your passwords.
To manage your saved passwords, visit Settings -> Accounts & Passwords ->
App & Website Passwords. Enter your passcode or use Touch ID to view your
saved passwords. To delete individual passwords, swipe left on each
password, then hit "Delete." To delete en masse, tap "Edit" in the
top-right
corner, then select each password you'd like to delete. Finally, tap
"Delete" in the top left corner.
17.
AutoFill
Along with storing your passwords, your iPhone can store your personal
information for AutoFill. This feature makes it easy to fill out forms
online or in apps, as you iPhone can automatically enter information such
as
your name, address, phone number, credit card number, and more.
Obviously, the downside is your iPhone carries this personal information
for
a potential thief to find. To protect yourself, head to Settings ->
Safari
-> AutoFill. From here, you can investigate what information is already
saved, such as Contact Info and Credit Cards, or disable all by toggling
each slider off.
18.
Microphone Access
You've probably seen a request for microphone access when opening certain
apps for the first time. Many times, this request is totally legitimate,
and
needed for key features for those apps. However, you never know if an app
is
using that microphone access for shady reasons.
To manage which apps have access to your iPhone's microphone, check out
Settings -> Privacy -> Microphone. Here, you will find a list of all apps
that are approved to use your microphone. Disable any and all by tapping
the
slider next to each app.
19.
Camera Access
For apps like Snapchat, camera access is essential to function - how else
are you going to use those classic filters? However, there might be apps
on
your iPhone you don't want using your camera.
In that case, you'd want to disable camera access for those apps. Check
out
Settings -> Privacy -> Camera. From here, disable the switch next to any
apps that you'd rather not have using the cameras on your iPhone.
20.
Location Services
Location services are necessary for apps such as Maps or Waze - your
iPhone
needs to know your location in order to properly give you directions.
Apps
like Snapchat can use your location when taking photos to apply
interesting
and unique filters only available where you currently are. While location
services make certain apps fun, other apps may not be so forthcoming.
If you want to disable location services for certain apps, go to.
Settings
-> Privacy -> Locations Services. You could always disable "Location
Services" entirely, however, you'd lose access to all location functions.
That's probably not going to fly for you, so it'd be better to go through
each app, making to sure to set the apps you don't want accessing to your
location to "Never."
21.
Recently Deleted Photos
When you delete a photo, it's gone for good. Right? Not so much. Apple
saves
your deleted photos in a folder titled "Recently Deleted" for 30 days
before
actually deleting said photos. If someone were to gain access to your
phone,
they'd have access to any photos deleted within 30 days from that time.
You don't need to be privacy-focused to realize that could be a bad
situation. To make sure those deleted photos stay that way, head to the
Recently Deleted folder in the Photos app, then delete your photos all
over
again.
22.
App Store Purchases
Let's say you decide to buy an app. You leave your iPhone for a moment,
but
as you do, someone manages to break in and gain access to the App Store.
Because you just purchased an app, the App Store might not require your
password before buying another app, so this person can buy as many
expensive
apps as he or she wishes.
Let's prevent this. If you use Touch ID, go to Settings -> Touch ID &
Passcode. From here, enable Touch ID for iTunes & App Store. Just enter
your
iTunes password, and you'll be all set.
If you don't use Touch ID, tap on your name at the top of the Settings
page.
Then, go to iTunes & App Stores -> Password Settings. Set the preference
to
"Always Require" for maximum security. If you wish, you can also require
a
password for free downloads as well.
23.
Keep Messages
We love our messages. With iOS 11, we can even back up our messages to
the
cloud, to make sure we never lose them. However, as a user concerned
about
privacy, you may not want to keep your messages forever. Unfortunately
for
you, your iPhone does just that by default.
There's a bright side, though. You can set your iPhone to automatically
delete messages after a certain period of time. Just jump over to
Settings
-> Messages -> Keep Messages. Choose either "30 Days" or "1 Year,"
-> whatever
your preference, and your iPhone will make sure your messages never see a
day beyond that time.
For more information on permanently deleting texts from your iPhone,
check
out the guide below.
24.
Allow Access When Locked
Your lock screen, by default, contains a treasure trove of personal
information, such as recent notifications, your Wallet, and the Today
View,
which is a collection of widgets of your most useful apps. Fortunately,
many
of the apps that contain this info can be specifically disabled from the
lock screen by going to Settings -> Touch ID & Passcode.
From here, you can choose which apps you'd like to prevent access to from
your lock screen. If you'd rather not have others see your texts, emails,
or
app alerts, or if you'd prefer people not see information from your apps
in
the Today View, you can disable those apps and features here.
So, what do you think of our list? Does your iPhone feel more secure? Are
there any other settings you'd recommend disabling? Let us know in the
comments below!
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Cover image and screenshots by Jake Peterson/Gadget Hacks
Original Article at:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/news/24-ios-11-privacy-security-settings-you-sho
uld-check-right-now-0180163/
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