The Best Password For iPhone: Yours Might Be Too Weak

Summary: iPhone passwords by themselves are insufficient to protect your data. Learn about strong passwords, how to change your iPhone password and other ways to defend against having your iPhone stolen and hacked.

It was a big deal when iPhones switched from four-digit to six-digit passcodes. You might think that six digits would provide iron-clad protection against your phone being unlocked and your data being accessed by others. Unfortunately, that is not the case. It is one thing to have your phone physically stolen. But if a thief has the skills to crack your iPhone password or has caught it looking over your shoulder, your data and the security of other platforms you use could be at serious risk.

There’s Always a New Scam

Recently, phone thieves have been working in teams to capture iPhone passwords. In this scam, one person sneaks a video of the target unlocking their phone just before another “teammate” physically steals the phone. Then, the video captured on the scene can be viewed, and the password can be entered to unlock the phone, change the passwords and take over your accounts. This scam is often conducted in crowded bars and restaurants.

For many users, iPhones are portable computers on which they conduct personal business, banking transactions, credit card payments and store all kinds of private data. By the time the victim can report a phone stolen, the bad actors have already started downloading the data. Also, many iPhones are backed up to iCloud, and one of the first actions thieves take is to reset your iCloud password. It is easy because it only requires the same passcode necessary to unlock the phone. Once they are “in,” they can immediately turn off the Find My Phone tracking and, at the same time, lock you out of your other networked Apple devices. Furthermore, facial recognition is not helpful because all face IDs offer the option of bypassing them and entering a password instead.

Protecting your iPhone’s passcode is crucial because many applications on your iPhone can be accessed once it is unlocked. Some of those, such as Apple Pay, Zelle and Venmo, are used for transferring money, and unauthorized access to them could cost the victim a lot of money. It only gets scarier from here.

Password Security Best Practices

Although stolen iPhone and password events can be dire, there are some ways to tighten up your phone’s password security:

• Keep Your iPhone Up Close and Personal – Be aware of your surroundings when you unlock your phone. Who is sitting next to you? Is anyone standing behind you? Is anyone watching you a little too closely? Extra awareness before entering their passcodes can save users a lot of headaches.
• Use Complex Passwords – Although it is convenient for us to remember simpler passwords and use them for everything, it is no longer advisable. Cybercrime is increasing, and the first layer of defense is the creation and safe storage of strong passwords and usernames. The most robust passwords contain alphanumeric combinations using letters, numbers and special characters. The more complex the sequence is, the better.
• Use Password Management to Protect All Your Passwords – Using strong passwords is only effective if you have them stored in a safe place. Unfortunately, most users will not have them committed to memory. That is where password management apps come in. Password management applications can create and securely store your passwords. However, financial applications used with iPhones should be excluded from the manager and stored someplace safe, not connected to iCloud. Also, there are password managers specifically designed to protect your financial application platforms.
• Use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) – Select MFA for your most sensitive data and apps whenever it is available. MFA adds one or more layers of security by requiring users to enter additional credentials, often in the form of a security code, sent to a different device or through text messages or emails. Each additional credential is another wall between your private data and cyber thieves. Getting used to using MFA is annoying at first, but the effort quickly becomes routine and the extra step provides a very strong level of cyber security.

How Do I Change My iPhone Password?

Changing your password on an iPhone is very easy. On your phone, go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode. Next, scroll down to Change Passcode and select Passcode Options. From there, you can create a new, unique alphanumeric passcode for your phone. Going forward, be discreet about who can see your phone when you unlock it.

iPhone Security: Expert Tech Help

iPhones are very versatile, and Apple adds more features all the time. As a result, many online activities can be conducted by phone more easily than ever. However, without attention to password security best practices, your phone can be the gateway for hackers to steal your banking information, most personal private data or, in the worst-case scenario, your identity. Over the past decade, cases of identity theft have almost tripled. Financial losses from cyberattacks already total over $10 billion this year alone. Therefore, iPhone password security should not be left to chance. If you are uncertain about how to protect your phone, it is worth contacting a professional IT technician to assist you in learning about and installing the best security to protect the data on your iPhone and all your devices.