with so many features Security present in Smartphones With modern equipment, theft and theft of equipment for the purpose of reselling them or simply using them for criminal activities has become much less interesting. like iPhoneFor example, it is possible to lock a device via iCloud, a very difficult process to return without access to the device owner’s account.
However, criminals are unfortunately creative, adopting new technologies sometimes faster than the users themselves. An example of this is the recent cases, initially reported Folha de S.Paulo . Byof stolen smartphones, which were used to clear the bank accounts of their respective owners within minutes of the incident.
In most cases, the targets are devices that are already unlocked – such as those in use in a car. GPS, for example – because in this way it is much easier to access all the information and Apps Does not exist Cell. Still, there are ways to unlock devices, especially those with older operating systems.
No system is 100% secure, but the most common vulnerability in technology systems is often the human factor. Therefore, if your cell phone falls into the hands of criminals, it is important to take a number of precautions when using your cell phone and the apps contained in it, in order to reduce the chances of something like this happening to you as much as possible.
my attention to it pillar This is the iPhone, so I’ll give you more platform-specific tips, but some of them apply to any smartphone.
first minute
If your cell phone has been stolen, go to iCloud.com as soon as possible, enter app Find inside the portal and remote lock the device. This can be done with a cell phone borrowed from someone, or on a computer that has access. Internet.
To make this quick access possible, it is important that you remember your Apple ID password. Still, don’t use the same password you use for other things: Use a difficult and unique password, but make a habit of typing it over and over again to remember it.
Apart from this block, it is also important to contact your operator and block the IMEI. You can find your iPhone’s IMEI by dialing *#06# in the Phone app. Keep this information somewhere safe in case you need it in the future.
Device and IMEI Lock does not prevent anyone from removing the chip on your cell phone and using it on another device, for authentication or access. WhatsApp And try to implement scams, for example. As such, it is important to set a PIN for your SIM card so that it does not work on other cell phones without entering the PIN. If possible opt for eSIM, as it is completely virtual, it is not possible to remove one chip from your cell phone and move it to another.
iPhones also have a mechanism that can help you if you see the imminent risk of theft.
in iphone com Face IDPress the Side button and Volume Up button at the same time for about 3 seconds. This will temporarily disable Face ID, requiring you to enter your password to unlock your device.
It sounds simple, but in the process the iPhone erases many short-lived security keys, making it much less likely to break.
Healthy Safety Habits (And Don’ts)
The tips I’ve given above are about what to do when the problem has already happened or is about to happen, but there are several safety habits you can adopt on your iPhone so that if something like this happens to you, you can to be less worried.
unlock code
The first is not just using the 6-digit code as your iPhone unlock code. hey iOS Allows the use of an alphanumeric password for unlocking. If your iPhone has banking apps or any other sensitive data, you must use a password longer than 6 digits to unlock it.
This habit has become more viable now that we have Face ID and Touch ID on most devices, making the unlock password much less frequent.
Using a mask circumvents Face ID, but Apple Watch users may already benefit from proximity unlocking, so in practice you’ll rarely have to enter an alphanumeric password.
There are several security benefits to using an alphanumeric password to unlock an iPhone, as most automated tools that allow you to unlock a device cannot do so on devices that use an alphanumeric password. Plus, it’s more difficult for someone watching you type the password to remember it if it’s an alphanumeric password, as opposed to a 6-digit password.
application setup
Another type of scam that may involve stolen cell phones is the WhatsApp attack to apply the scam to the relatives of the victims.
Not many people know that WhatsApp allows two-step configuration and authentication, so that you need to authenticate with biometrics or enter a numerical code to access the app.
Also, educate your close family and friends about perpetrating these scams. Criminals often send messages to relatives asking for money and unfortunately many people fall prey to these scams.
One tip I can give you would be to conjure up a “secret word” with your close friends and relatives, which can be used to verify that in case of doubt you are yourself ( Just remember to combine this secret word outside the chat platform (of course).
There are several applications that allow blocking them by biometrics, which requires authentication. I recommend enabling this option in all the apps you use that allow it.
The ideal here for iOS would be to have this as a native feature of the system, but for now we are relying on developers to add the feature manually.
two-factor authentication
Enable two-factor authentication — especially the most important — for every service you use. Avoid using SMS or email as authentication as much as possible, because if your cell phone is stolen, criminals will most likely have access to these services, even if temporary.
So try using a password app – such as Google Authenticator or 1Password – and remember to lock these apps with biometrics as well as a strong, unique password.
Passwords
Never, ever, under any circumstances, store passwords openly on your cell phone. This goes for saving passwords in the Notes app, sending passwords to contacts via iMessage or WhatsApp, or saving passwords in emails.
If you want to manage your passwords, install a specific app for that, like 1Password, and protect that app with a strong password and biometrics.
If you are in the habit of writing passwords in notes or sending passwords by message/email, it is very easy for a criminal to simply search the word “password” to unlock your cell phone in hand and find passwords for services. you use.
Using a specific password management app is recommended, so you can generate large, unique passwords for each service and use the app whenever you need them.
Obviously its security will depend on using a strong password to protect the password manager, but at least you’ll only have to remember one password and be less tempted to repeat the same password for ease of remembering.
These were just a few tips, if you follow them all, you will greatly reduce your chances of becoming another victim of these evil robbery gangs. dice.
