8 ways to protect your iPhone from hackers

No iPhone is completely safe from hackers. However, you can significantly reduce the risk of being hacked. This is how you arm your iPhone against hackers.

This is how you protect an iPhone against hackers

Can an iPhone be hacked? Yes unfortunately it is. It doesn’t happen very often – iPhones are generally much more secure than Android phones – but it will just happen to you. After we previously explained how you can find out if your iPhone has been hacked, we now extensively consider ways not to end up in this situation at all.

An important disclaimer up front: An iPhone is never completely safe from hackers, just like any other phone or computer. It is a naive thought to think that your device cannot be hacked, because it can happen to anyone. Nevertheless, it is wise to make the chance as small as possible.

1. Install updates

We’ll start with the low-hanging fruit. The most important way to protect your iPhone is also the simplest: install updates as soon as possible.

Your iPhone will probably automatically download new updates. If not, open the Settings app, go to ‘General’ and choose ‘Software Update’. Then tap “Download and Install” and follow the on-screen instructions.

iPhone updates are important because they fix vulnerabilities in the operating system (iOS). Hackers use these vulnerabilities to penetrate smartphones. Apple regularly releases security updates, and we can’t stress enough how important these are.

2. Secure your accounts

Hackers are almost always after money. To get there, for example, they invade your online accounts, including your email and banking app. It is therefore important to secure accounts as well as possible.

Start by setting solid, tough passwords. It is best to use a password manager, such as Bitwarden, 1Password or iCloud’s built-in keychain. Such services keep your digital life locked up by remembering all your login details and suggesting strong passwords.

It is also important to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This sounds complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. With 2FA you put a second layer of security over your online accounts. When logging in, you not only need a username and password, but also, for example, a code that is sent by text message or app.

In the article below you can read everything about setting up two-factor authentication.

Further reading: Two-step verification explained: 6 things you need to know

3. Safe internet browsing

Also important: Internet only through secure networks. This means that you should avoid public Wi-Fi networks – in the store, the airport or on the terrace. These networks are often not properly secured and can easily be abused by malicious parties.

It is therefore better to use the internet on the road via 4G or 5G. At that time, your phone is only connected to the provider’s cell tower. As a result, a hacker cannot just tap the internet traffic (with all the consequences that entails).

For the maximum result, you can consider purchasing a VPN subscription. Such a service encrypts all your internet traffic, so that even your provider can no longer see what you are doing. With this you can, for example, also use public WiFi networks, because your internet traffic on that network is encrypted anyway.

Of course it is also important to never share login information just like that. Hackers and other malicious parties use all kinds of tricks (so-called Social Engineering) to, for example, find out your e-mail address and PIN code, but of course a legitimate company will never ask for this.

In line with this, you should never just click on links to (to you) unknown apps and websites. Also, always pay attention when downloading apps and the requested permissions. Do the requested permissions seem reasonable, or are they suspicious?

4. Know the Risks

A warned person counts for two. This saying also applies to hackers and your iPhone. After all, to protect your phone against hacking attacks, you need to know how something like this works.

Here come iPhoned and other media look around the corner. We regularly write about the ways in which hackers try to take over your phone.

One of the best-known forms of ‘hacking’ is phishing. Here, malicious people try to ‘fish in’ you through a lure, such as the prospect of a big prize. If you click on the link in the email, text or WhatsApp message, you will usually be sent to a fake website. Here you will be asked for your personal information.

But, don’t rule out malware either. This malicious software secretly settles on your iPhone, iPad or Mac(Book) and can, for example, watch your WhatsApp conversations. There are also more malicious forms of malware. These are, for example, capable of stealing money.

There are many more viruses that can hack your iPhone, such as adware, spyware and ransomware. Of course you don’t have to be (or become) an expert in these areas, but at least be aware of their existence.

Learn more about malware, adware, spyware and phishing

5. Scan your phone

Not only is it important to be aware of what you’re downloading, but it’s also necessary to check what’s already installed on your phone. There may be apps that are not so secure at all. iOS, the operating system of iPhones, is much more secure than Android, but no platform is 100 percent safe.

So take a look at the list of apps that are on your iPhone. It may contain programs that you have downloaded in the past, but are no longer actually used. It is almost impossible on your iPhone, but there can also be apps that are secretly installed on your device (for example via malware).

The lesson: Know what’s on your iPhone. Check your phone regularly to make sure everything is still on the hook.

6. Secure the front door

Hopefully your iPhone is locked and only unlocks via Face ID (facial recognition), Touch ID (fingerprint) or a PIN code. Although one security option is better than the other, it is important to always activate one form of lock. If you don’t do this, a malicious person can unlock your iPhone in an unguarded moment without difficulty. Also, the contents of your iPhone are only encrypted if you set a passcode.

Our tip: turn on Face ID or Touch ID. Both unlock methods use your body characteristics (biometrics) and are therefore very safe. If you only opt for a (less secure) access code, then at least use a long, non-obvious sequence of numbers.

7. Make a fresh start

You probably rarely reboot your iPhone. That makes sense, because usually there is no reason to. Still, for safety, it is smart to turn your iPhone completely off and on again every now and then. This is because you interrupt running processes, including potentially malicious processes (running in the background).

Restarting your iPhone is like giving the front door a nudge and shutting it tight.

8. Make backups

Finally, it is important to make regular backups. In the unlikely event that your iPhone is hacked, you will at least keep your personal apps and files. In addition, you may be able to fix the hack by restoring a backup.

An iCloud backup may be the most practical solution, but a local backup on your Mac has one major security benefit. You can check the box next to your iPhone in Finder that your backup should be encrypted. In that case, only you can access your backup. So doubly safe.

Secure your iPhone

iPhoned regularly gives iPhone tips to protect your phone even better. Did you know, for example, that some functions are turned on by default that you can better turn off for security reasons? And do you know how to check if your iPhone is infected with the infamous Pegasus spyware?