by J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young
Updated On Oct 31, 2022
Published On Feb 22, 2022
Basic iPhone Tips Ideal for Newbies
You probably use your iPhone for everything including making payments and it is therefore understandable that you may worry about the data on the device.
Apple is known for its extensive security protocols that are aimed at protecting your device and the data on it.
But even as strict as Apple security is, there are still reports of iPhones that have been hacked remotely.
Here, we will look at whether it is possible for someone else to remotely gain access to your iPhone in any way and the means they may use to do so.
Even with the seemingly impenetrable Apple security, it is still possible to remotely access an iPhone. But it is very difficult for the following reasons:
While hackers can gain remote access to your iPhone, the software that they would need to pull it off is very expensive, often more than $100,000.
So, unless hacking into your device will allow them to recoup this financial investment and get a substantial profit on top of it, they are probably not interested in your device.
Apple is also very serious about the security of their devices and therefore on top of all security issues that may arise.
This means that even if there is a vulnerability that hackers can exploit, it doesn't last very long.
Apple has a reputation for patching every vulnerability and bug in its system as soon as it is discovered.
The chances that a hacker could exploit these vulnerabilities it therefore diminished.
You may have seen some companies that claim to offer remote hacking services for iOS devices.
They work by allowing a hacker to access the iCloud account associated with the device and in so doing access certain types of data including messages, photos, call logs, and all data saved in the iCloud backup.
But this may only be possible if the user has not enabled two-factor authentication on their Apple ID.
The hacker would need physical access to the iOS device to disable this security feature which can be very hard to do.
One of the most vulnerable aspects of your device and how you use it remains the Wi-Fi networks that you choose to connect to.
Hackers can use unsecured Wi-Fi networks to gain access to your device. Some hackers have been known to set up fake wireless networks for this purpose.
They then analyze the traffic and see the information that you send and receive on the network.
If this information is unsecured, they can gain access to all types of data including passwords and even banking information.
If a hacker has direct access to your device, they may be able to install a remote access tool on it that they can then use to gain access to your information later.
Therefore, if you suspect that someone else may have had access to your device, you may want to go through the apps on your device for something that is out of place.
These spy apps may use names that are easily recognizable like a calculator or a popular game. If you don't recognize the app, your best bet is to remove it from your device immediately.
The iOS 14 feature "recording indicator" feature can be very helpful in this regard, allowing you to see if an app is accessing your camera or microphone.
Hackers are particularly good at covering their tracks, but some indicators may point to their activity.
For example, strange screen activity when you're not using your iPhone, slow startup and shutdown, and an unexplained spike in data usage can all point to a compromised device.
Even though the chance that your device could be hacked is low, you might still want to take specific steps to prevent this from happening to you.
The following are two of the best ways to protect yourself:
Quality Anti-spy software can be a great way to prevent anyone from remotely accessing your device.
These programs can help protect the data on your device and at the same time manage any potential risks to your data.
Most will even detect if the device is compromised or has been compromised in the past and advise you on the action steps to take to protect the device.
Enabling two-factor authentication is one of the best things you can do to prevent hackers from accessing your device and the data on it.
As we have seen, this is the best way to make sure that someone can't access your iCloud account even if they have your password.
Follow these steps to enable two-factor authentication:
For devices running iOS 10.3 or later:
For devices running iOS 10.2 and earlier:
While it is very hard for your iPhone to be hacked, there is a small chance that someone may be able to remotely access some of the data on it.
Now you have a clear understanding of your vulnerable points and what you can do to protect yourself.
Mako is a technical writer with a passion for all things tech. Whether you're wondering about how to fix your iPhone or Android device or trying to get something to work in your settings, Mako is your go-to for professional help. He loves writing, testing solutions, and most of all, making sure his research is factually accurate.
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