Congratulations: you are the owner of a brand new iPhone. Now it’s time to set up your device and make sure that your phone is as secure and private as possible. So, how can you ensure that your iPhone is safe from hackers and data stealers alike? The answer is actually more simple than you might think. This is the worst mistake you can make when setting up your new iPhone, according to an Apple expert. The good news is that correcting the problem takes just seconds and doesn’t require any tech know-how or skills.
Select A Strong Password
It seems like Tech 101 advice, but Isla Sibanda, a cybersecurity specialist at privacyaustralia.net says the worst mistake that continues to be observed is users not setting up strong enough passwords on their devices.
“In my experience, it does not matter if you whether have been an avid iPhone user in the past, you are a former Android user who is switching over to the iPhone, or are completely new to the iPhone experience, this is a common mistake that we all overlook when setting up the phone for the first time,” Isla Sibanda says. “The initial step of the process is to set up the six-digit code and what we end up doing on impulse is entering the most predictable set of numbers. These simple passcodes such as your birthday or 123456 or plain 0s, will open up your phone to hackers and allow anyone to access it without your knowledge. Your privacy will be breached and the immense amount of data stored on your phone will be open for complete strangers and hackers.”
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So, how (and why) should you avoid making this mistake?
For starters, it’s too simple to hack your phone if your password isn’t complex. “In recent years, studies have emerged where it has been noted how 4 digit passcodes can easily be hacked within a few hours,” Sibanda says. “This is why Apple has switched to the 6 digit code for better security. The way you can stay protected from unwanted access to your data through the code is by moving past this system. You can change the 6-digit system on your phone by following these steps:
1. Go to Settings on your iPhone
2. Click on Touch ID and Passcode (Enter your current passcode)
3. Click on Change Passcode (You will have to Enter your current passcode here again)
4. At the bottom of the screen, you will see “Password Options”. Click on it.
5. Click on Custom Alphanumeric Code
6. Write down your new passcode, which can now be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.”
