IOS Alert - Was Your iPhone, iPad or Apple ID Hacked?

Apple has made it easy for your business to connect and network all your IOS devices. Using your iPhone and iPad to share data is simple, and you can sign into all Apple services with just one Apple ID and password. But with ease of connectivity and data sharing come additional cyber threats. When a hacker steals your Apple ID and password, they have potentially gained access to your Apple devices, your personal and business data, your location, your payment accounts for all Apple services and your credit card. Fortunately, there are ways to discover if you have been hacked and ways to help prevent hacking.

How to Tell if Your Phone is Hacked

Here are a few simple signs to look for with iPhones:

• Your Data Usage Has Increased – If you do not hit your data limit every month and suddenly your phone bill shows a significant increase, you may be the victim of a security breach. A hacker may have placed hidden apps on your phone that allows them to connect to other parties without your knowledge, consuming a lot of your data.
• Your iPhone is Malfunctioning – Is your iPhone behaving strangely? You know how your phone is supposed to work. If strange software appears, you receive unexplained or unusual error messages or if simple functions are slow or cannot be executed, you might not need a new phone. The malfunctioning could be a sign you have been hacked.
• Your Battery is Life Degrading – Phone batteries lose the ability to hold a charge sooner or later. But if you have had your phone for only a short period of time, unexpected battery drainage could be a sign that a hacker has installed an app that is running in the background.
• Mysterious Apps Appear – Be aware of every app you have installed on your phone. Make sure they are from trusted sources. But if you see apps that you do not remember downloading, your iPhone has probably been hacked.

What Are the Signs That Your Apple ID Was Hacked?

Unfortunately, once your Apple ID is hacked, your iPhone and your iPad are also vulnerable. But thanks to basic Apple security protocols, you will receive an email or text notification when your account has been accessed or modified by an unknown source. This notification will also tell you the origin of the login attempt or other action taken with your Apple account. Resist the urge to click “authorize” before verifying the legitimacy of the login.

Signs that your Apple ID May Have Been Compromised include:

• Your password no longer works.
• Receiving a notice from Apple that your Apple ID password was changed, and you did not change it.
• You receive a notification that an attempt to login to your account has been made from a device or place you do not recognize or did not authorize to use the account.
• Finding charges on your account for purchases you did not make.

How Can I See Where My Apple ID is Being Used?

Unfortunately, you cannot view your Apple ID login history. However, you can check to see what devices are currently logged in to your account through your device settings. Your settings will also tell you where the login attempts were made. If you do not recognize the device and location, there is a very good chance that your Apple ID and password have been stolen. A hacker can be anywhere in the world, using your Apple accounts and stealing your data. Some malicious hackers will even erase all your data, wiping your device clean. If you see a device you do not recognize logged into your account, in a place where you are sure you do not have any activity, your Apple ID has been stolen. Phishing scams are mostly used by hackers to breach personal and business data. You must verify the credentials of senders before you click on attachments in emails and texts. Your IT technician cannot check your apple id login history, but they can view where devices are currently logged in.

Case Study – Apple Devices are Vulnerable

In Georgia, a man was indicted for stealing Apple IDs. He sent out thousands of phishing emails, posing as an Apple customer service representative. This method of phishing is known as “spray and pray.” Once a target fell victim to his scheme, the hacker requested that they send him their username and password or answer their security challenge questions. Once armed with those answers, the hacker could change their passwords and lock them out of their own accounts. After successfully breaching their accounts, he spent thousands of dollars using the victims’ payment information and then sold their company and personal data to outside parties.

Data Protection for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

If you lack the time or expertise to check to see if any of your iphone or Apple devices may have been hacked, it’s a good idea to have a professional IT technician help. Your small or mid-sized business is liable for protecting any of the personal data that you collect and store. It is essential to protect against attacks on all network-connected devices (even printers, smart devices and cameras). Each new device put into use opens another potential attack portal that puts personal and business data at risk. Cyberattacks are expensive and time consuming. Your network and connected devices should have a professional IT assessment done at regular intervals. evaluate all your network devices and systems to ensure that you have the best possible data protection and network security. Look for a vendor that provides full network services, computer repair and IT services for small and midsized businesses. Ideally, one that has cyber security specialist on staff.