At the end of the year, once the festivities start entering their lull, it’s time for people to start paying more attention to their gifts. That doesn’t mean you have to look at the pair of socks you got sent over from your Aunt. No, this is the era of technology after all, and no doubt you received some sort of tech gift, or at least are still using your iOS device (until the next release)? With so many people online right now using iPads and iPhones, there’s never been a better time to protect yourself from hackers. We’ll show you how.
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your iOS device is kept safe. The most important and obvious one is to keep it up to date. Apple often releases upgrades to improve functionality or fix bugs, but it also keeps the operating system as secure as it can be. It can be easy to ignore the reminders when you get them – but don’t. Next time you see it, let it install rather than swiping the message away.
While you’re in your settings, there are some other precautionary measures you can take as well. The first is to activate ‘find my phone’ because let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than physically losing your iPhone. It’s a mean feat if you manage to lose your iPad, and that’s arguably worse. But by activating ‘find my phone,’ you can trace its location in the event it is ever lost. You can also wipe all your data, stopping any physical thief from getting your information. Though it’s not just physical threats you have to watch out for – it’s the online hackers that can make your life difficult.
If you get the right VPN package, you’ll be able to protect your iPad and iPhone devices from hackers getting hold of your information. How does it work? When you use a VPN, you get to choose to activate the internet from a different location, which means your original IP address will be hidden. This is great because you’ll be able to go online in privacy, so hackers won’t be able to trace where you are.
It’s also easy to purchase an iOS VPN and even easier to use on iOS devices. Available in-app form, it works just like everything else you download to your iPhone. Open it up, and from the menu, you can select a different server. With thousands to choose from, you can decide on wherever you want your internet traffic to originate from – somewhere in Europe, another state in the US, or maybe Asia?
All it takes is a few simple taps of the screen, and then you can begin your online browsing. Your IP address will remain hidden, so any hackers will only see the VPN’s IP address. It’ll be a tough nut for them to crack, which means even if they were trying to get to you, a kill-switch would engage, which completely disconnects you from the internet. It’s the best way to keep you safe when you’re online. Another benefit is that once you get a VPN license, it’ll work on a range of devices. You can then install it on your iPhone and iPad and if you’re feeling generous, maybe install it on a family member’s device?
A VPN comes with a range of additional benefits. As well as security against cybercriminals, you’ll have complete anonymity when you’re online. No internet service providers are monitoring your downloads or websites and controlling your broadband speeds. No law enforcement or companies are trying to track your activity and spam you with adverts (the companies, we can’t imagine the feds spamming you unless they think you’d be a great candidate to join the FBI…maybe). Just complete online freedom.
If you use your iPhone or iPad for streaming movies and songs (and who doesn’t?), you can open up lots more content. Big streaming sites like Netflix will only show you the relevant shows and movies for your region, but they have a massive portfolio available to audiences across the rest of the world. You don’t want to have to travel all the way to Europe just to watch some shows on your iPhone. With a VPN, you can select different servers in different locations and find new things to watch.
With online crime always on the rise, a VPN is a great tool to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. If you haven’t treated yourself over the festive period, now might be a good time to start.
Some Alarming Cybercrime Stats to Consider
- It’s believed the cost of cybercrime will rocket to $10.5 trillion by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures)
- Personal data stolen from social media accounts is traded for $630 million a year (Security Boulevard)
- Cybersecurity breaches have risen by 70% since 2014 (Varinos)
