security issues

Optimizing IOS Privacy

Former FBI Director James Comey complained to the Senate Judiciary Committee recently about IOS security. Trying to bypass iPhone security safeguards to access encryption data was like running into an impenetrable wall, Comey said. But the fact the Bureau was still able to hack half the phones illustrates that there is a risk if you don’t have your iPhone configured correctly. Here are some tips for how for optimizing iOS privacy and security settings.

Enable Passcode Lock and Disable Bypass Features

The most fundamental privacy and security step you should take is going into your general settings to enable passcode lock, says security provider McAfee. Passcodes are four digits by default. Avoid common passcodes such as 1234, 0000 or 5683, and instead choose a harder number to guess. Setting auto-lock timeout and enabling erase data will make it harder for a thief to try to guess your code by brute force.

If you enable Touch ID, you can enter a longer six-code passcode and then use Touch ID as a shortcut instead of having to type it in every time. However, your passcode must still be used when you first turn on your phone and in certain other circumstances, as Apple explains in its online security manual. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus still include embedded Touch ID, though it’s uncertain how iPhone 8 will handle this feature.

To use your passcode effectively, you should disable features that can be used to bypass it. These include voice dial, found under the settings for your passcode lock’s voice control, and SMS preview, found under your settings for messages.

Disable Built-in Sensitive Data Storage Features

There are also certain features built into the design of the iPhone to track your activity that you should disable to optimize your privacy and security. You can disable your keyboard cache, which normally stores your keystrokes for up to a year, if you go under your general settings and choose the reset option. You should also disable your camera’s geotagging feature under your settings for location services.

The iPhone takes an automatic screenshot each time you tap your Home button, so avoid tapping it when looking at sensitive information. You can disable this feature if you jailbreak your phone, however this isn’t generally recommended.

Keep Your Firmware Updated

Your iOS device includes embedded operating system firmware. Apple updates this regularly to incorporate security updates, so you should make sure you have the current firmware version. You can check your device’s firmware version under the About section of your general settings. You can receive firmware update prompts by plugging your device into a computer running iTunes and launching iTunes. You can also keep track of firmware update announcements by following Apple’s @appleios Twitter feed.

Enable Safari Privacy and Security Settings

Your iPhone’s Safari browser has some privacy and security settings you can access under your settings for Safari. You should enable Block Pop-ups and Fraud Warning. You should also disable AutoFill for Use Contact Info and Names & Passwords.

After viewing any sensitive information, be sure to clear your history, cookies and cache. You should also go under your setting for Safari databases to delete any databases you don’t want saved.

Use Wireless and Email Wisely

Cyberthieves can try to use your phone’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to steal data. To prevent this, when you’re not using Bluetooth, go under your general settings for Bluetooth and turn it off. Likewise, when not using Wi-Fi, go under your general settings for Wi-Fi, then tap the blue arrow next to each previously associated network SSID and tap to Forget This Network.

For email, it’s important to protect your contact list. To do this, go under the settings for Mail, Contact, Calendars. Then select an active mail account, tap on Advanced and turn on the SSN option.

Enable Find My iPhone

In the event your iPhone gets lost or stolen, you should have the Find My iPhone app enabled. To do this, launch AppStore and download the free Find My iPhone app. Then go under the settings for Mail, Contact, Calendars under Accounts and add a MobileMe account. You can then log into the MobileMe account with your Apple ID and password and turn the Find My iPhone setting on. Finally, go to the installed app and log in with your Apple ID and password. You will then be able to track your device through the MobileMe website if you ever need to find your phone. You will also be able to display messages to contact you on your phone, play sounds and remote wipe your data if needed.

What are the odds of your home being broken into? They may be higher than you think. One in every thirty-six homes will be broken into each year, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The average homeowner suffers $2,230 in property loss per break in, totaling $4.7 billion stolen annually from U.S. citizens. Many homeowners are victimized more than once after burglars identify them as an easy target. Often bad habits leave homeowners needlessly vulnerable. Here are some of the most common bad habits that can leave your home at a higher risk of becoming burglarized.

Forgetting to Lock the Front Door

Locking your door is one of the simplest burglary prevention steps you can take, but a surprising number of people don’t do it. Here’s what FBI data shows:

• 34 percent of burglars break in through the front door
• Adults over 65 were less likely to lock their doors than younger people
• Men were less likely to lock their doors than women
• Rural dwellers were less likely to lock their doors than city dwellers and suburbanites
• Midwesterners were less likely to lock their doors than those from other regions
• Whites were less likely to lock their doors than other ethnic groups

Simply taking the time to lock your door can leave you significantly less vulnerable to become burglarized. Make sure you have a deadbolt lock instead of just relying on the lock on your doorknob.

Not Securing Access Points

After front doors, the most common ways burglars get in are through windows and back doors. Many people leave their windows open during summer months, or place an air conditioner in their window, which a burglar can easily remove. Make sure you secure your windows and back door. If you use an air conditioner, you can make it more secure by installing screws through the top mounting rail, installing window frame locks, or using a window wedge.

Basement doors and windows and garage doors can also be vulnerable entry points. Lock your basement door with a dead bolt just as you would your front door. Bars and grills are one of the most effective ways to secure basement windows. Thieves can open garage doors by inserting a coat hanger through the top of the door and using it to release the emergency latch. Prevent this by disabling the emergency release, removing the cord attached to it, and locking the release lever.

Not Installing a Security System

Another frequent mistake is not installing a home security system. Burglars tend to be deterred by a camera, motion detector or alarm. It’s worth the investment to get a HD security camera system, especially when some companies, such as Lorex Technology, offer systems that don’t require a monthly subscription.

A dog can also be a great security system. Most burglars say they will avoid a home with a big, loud dog.

Hiding a Spare Key Outside

Another common mistake homeowners make is leaving a spare key outside their home in an obvious location such as under a doormat or in a fake rock. Burglars who have been interviewed after their arrests say that one thing they typically do when staking out a home is look for a hidden key. If you feel a need for a spare key, keep it in your wallet or purse or with a trusted neighbor.