The fundamental difference between an Apple and an Android Device, besides the hardware components, is Apple’s Proprietary iOS i.e. their mobile operating system, which is only available for Apple devices. Unlike Android, the source code of Apple’s mobile-based operating system is not available to the developers outside of apple to build separate User interfaces and skins over it. This also protects Apple devices from any exploits which are targeted on the vulnerabilities which one might find after accessing the source code of the operating system. However, Android does cater to a larger audience and which also increases the probability of a successful attack on the devices hence leaving it more vulnerable. Nonetheless, one can never be too careful from a cybercriminal launching a malware or a ransomware attack on your device , even if it’s an iPhone. This blog takes one through some basic security features of an iPhone which one may not be aware of and the new updates of these features released by Apple in their latest iOS 14.
- Find my iPhone
Just like the “Find my Device” feature on Android devices, Apple also provides its users with this feature where the user can Locate their or their family member’s device. Here are a few things which one can do after going into the app of another apple device if one is looking for their phone.
- One can find its location using the GPS or play the sound to locate the same.
- One can switch on “Mark as stolen”, which remotely locks the device and will keep a track of one’s Credit and debit card which are registered to apple pay.
- One can erase their device as well, which will remove all the local and saved information in their device as well as the iCloud. However, After doing this one cant track it
- Notification for Device hardware access
The new iOS 14 update provides a feature where one can see and monitor in real-time, that which device is actually using the device’s hardware features like the camera or microphone. Either one can see on the top right of the screen to see when and which hardware is being used or they can simply scroll to bring the control centre and see the details. The orange light on the top right means the microphone is being used and if its green then the camera is being used. This means that one will which apps use which function at all times, and hence there will no chance of somebody snooping in on one’s device without letting them know about it.
- Toggling location info.
Almost every application which an individual downloads today, asks for permission to access one’s location. However, the new software update in iOS 14 also provides a feature where one is provided with options as to whether they have to provide the application with an access to the location either never or always or only when the app is open or only when one provides with explicit permission. One can also toggle on or off the Precise Location feature in that menu to restrict the application from getting an exact location of your device. Just visit the Permissions sections of the application in the settings menu and then select Location, to reveal all these features.
- Limiting the tracking of apps
Another privacy feature provided by the iOS 14 is a toggling switch for the “Application Tracking”. Through this feature, one can conditionally disable the apple apps from tracking someone outside the application which is not owned by them, which is usually done for for targeted advertising. The conditional allowance to applications means that the apps will have to ask for user’s permission for tracking the user. One just has to visit the Privacy section of the settings menu and find Tracking.
