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iOS 12.1: Change these privacy and security settings now

Concerned about the security of the data you store on your iPhone and iPad? Here are the steps you should take to lock down an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12. (Updated for iOS 12.1)
By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer
Set a strong passcode
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Set a strong passcode

No matter whether you use Touch ID or Face ID, you still need a passcode, and the longer the passcode you can use -- and remember -- the better.

Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode on iPhones with Face ID), enter your existing passcode, and then tap on Passcode Options to get a set of options. Choose between Custom Alphanumeric Code (the most secure) or Custom Numeric Code (second best option), or 4-Digit Numeric Code (I don't recommend this last option).

Password AutoFill and third-party password managers
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Password AutoFill and third-party password managers

Turn on automatic iOS updates
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Control what Touch ID/Face ID is used to authenticate
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Control what Touch ID/Face ID is used to authenticate

Do you want the convenience of Touch ID or Face ID, or do you rather the additional protection that having to enter your passcode offers? iOS 12 allows you to switch Touch ID/Face ID on and off for:

  • - iPhone Unlock
  • - iTunes and App Store
  • - Apple Pay
  • - Password AutoFill

Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode on iPhones with Face ID), enter your existing passcode to control this.

Control access to what's accessible when the iPhone or iPad is locked
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Control access to what's accessible when the iPhone or iPad is locked

Control how much - or how little - you want to be accessible on a locked device. iOS 12 gives control over the following:

  • - Today View
  • - Notification Center
  • - Control Center
  • - Siri
  • - Reply with Message
  • - Home Control
  • - Wallet
  • - Return Missed Call
  • - USB Accessories

The bottom line is that the more you lock down, the more secure your device and data will be. The USB Accessories feature is especially useful, because it will prevent the Lightning port being used to connect to any accessory if your iPhone or iPad has been locked for more than an hour.

Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode on iPhones with Face ID), enter your existing passcode to control this.

Set brute-force protection
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Set brute-force protection

iOS has built-in brute-force protection to prevent an unauthorized user from trying to guess your passcodes.

Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode on iPhones with Face ID), enter your existing passcode, and scroll down to Erase Data.

After 10 attempts (toward the end there will be a time lockout to slow down the entry process), the encryption key will be deleted and your data wiped.

Check for password reuse
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Check for password reuse

If you use the iCloud KeyChain to store web passwords, you can now use this to check for password reuse (which is bad, so don't do it!).

Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Website & App Passwords and authenticate with either touch ID/Face ID or your passcode.

You will see a grey triangle with an exclamation mark next to any entry that is reused. To change the password, tap Change Password on Website.

Reduce the lock screen timeout
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Reduce the lock screen timeout

Disable biometrics to force passcode entry
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Set up two-factor authentication
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Set up two-factor authentication

One of the best ways to protect your data is to set up and use two-factor authentication. This means that, even if an attacker has your iCloud username and password, Apple will send an authentication code of a device you've chosen, which should block most attacks.

Go to Settings > and tap your name at the top of the screen, then go to Password & Security, then choose Two-Factor Authentication.

Set a recovery key
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Set a recovery key

While setting up two-factor authentication (go to Settings > tap your name at the top of the screen, then go to Password & Security, and choose Two-Factor Authentication), you can also set up a Recovery Key.

Once set, without this key, or another device signed in with your Apple ID, you will not be able to reset your password.

Disable unnecessary widgets
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Disable unnecessary widgets

Widgets can leak data even when your iPhone is locked. You can either disable the Today View from being accessible when your device is locked (see earlier tip: Control access to what's accessible when the iPhone or iPad is locked), or you can edit the widgets as follows:

Swipe to the right on the Home screen into the Today View panel, and then scroll to the bottom of the screen and hit Edit. Now, you can remove any panel that you do not need.

Activate "Find My iPhone"
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Activate "Find My iPhone"

This is a handy feature to have on if you worry about your device being stolen, or if you are careless with things.

To activate it go to Settings > then tap your name at the top of the screen, and go to iCloud > Find My iPhone.

From here, you can also check the Send Last Location feature, which sends the location of your device to Apple when the battery is low, allowing you to find it even when the battery is flat.

Take control over Location Sharing
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Take control over Location Sharing

Secure the Safari browser
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