Today, digital security is at the center of all debates. According to a recent Wall Street Journal investigation, some criminals are using your iPhone passwords to steal money and all your personal data. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when handling your phone, especially when entering your passcode. Discover without further ado its new modus operandi!
As you know, mobile devices like iPhones contain a lot of information about users’ privacy and finances. As a result, thieves always find the right way to steal a smartphone. In addition, they easily managed to bypass one of the main security features of the iPhone: the four-digit numeric code. A sneaky but very discreet method…
What does the criminal do before stealing your iPhone?
Phone theft. source: spm
The Wall Street Journal revealed the new method adopted by criminals to access your personal data. Before snatching the phone out of your hand, a thief may approach you in a bar or public place saying that he wants to take a selfie or get your Snapchat account. According to the victims interviewed by the newspaper, during the robbery they were drugged or assaulted. But before you act, he’ll take the time to watch you enter your passcode and then pick up your iPhone. And that’s not all ! Once the thief has your code, he can pay for purchases on Apple Play. One of the victims interviewed by the American newspaper also referred to an amount of $1,500 that was debited from her account in the space of one night. The other bad news is that the attacker can also use your bank’s app to make transfers. You can even access all your passwords through the phone settings and connect to your favorite accounts like: Netflix, PayPal, Amazon, etc. And if you want to find some confidential information, you will not hesitate to spend a few minutes on your Messenger or WhatsApp. Worse yet, the criminal can even disable your iPhone’s location and prevent you from accessing it remotely.
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If a few years ago having your smartphone stolen was an economic loss, today this loss can be even greater. For this reason, it is essential to properly secure your device.
As you will have understood, the unlock code for your Apple mobile phone can become the target of thieves! To protect your small device, it is important to choose a code that is difficult to guess. Of course, it will need to be modified periodically to maintain its effectiveness.
Use an alphanumeric code!
Padlock on a background of alphanumeric codes. source: spm
Thieves and hackers use very sophisticated techniques to access your data. To stop them, the Wall Street Journal recommends replacing your regular passcode with an alphanumeric code that includes letters and numbers. More complicated, it will not be easy to crack.
How to put an alphanumeric code on an iPhone 12, 13, 14 to replace your 4-digit code?
Do you want to protect your phone? All you need to do is put a new alphanumeric code by following the steps below on your iPhone:
- Go to iPhone Settings.
- Go to “Face ID & Passcode” or “Touch ID & Passcode”.
- You will then be able to write your current code to change it.
- Enter your code and then click “Code Options.”
- Press “Personal alphanumeric code”.
- All you have to do is enter your new code and confirm.
And there you have it! Your alphanumeric code is activated on your iPhone! Your attackers will be less likely to register it.
Open your phone with Face ID function
Caption: Using the face detection function on a phone. Source: iStock
The other good tip to protect yourself from thieves is to use a security option known as “Face ID”. In fact, you should get into the habit of using it in public places as an alternative to your regular passcode. This is especially useful when you are in a cafe, restaurant, or bar that is often crowded. To enable this feature on your iPhone:
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- Open the “Settings” of your iPhone.
- Go to “Face ID & Password”.
- Then enter your passcode and tap on “Set up Face ID”.
- You can then place your face in the frame and follow the instructions on your phone.
Face ID is simpler and more secure than Touch ID, which requires the use of a button to unlock the phone.
By adopting the above tips, no thief will be able to rob you using your access code. To their smartphones to make the necessary adjustments!
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