🔐 The iPhone Lockdown

5 Moves to Keep Your iPhone More Secure

Peter Oram
June 03, 2025

Protect your iPhone

You carry your whole life in your iPhone—photos, messages, bank logins, even your digital ID. But are you really keeping it safe?

Hackers, scammers, and snoops know that your iPhone is a goldmine. Here are the Top 5 things you should do TODAY to lock it down.

1. Turn on Lockdown Mode 🧱

Apple introduced Lockdown Mode for high-risk individuals (like journalists and activists), but anyone can turn it on. It blocks shady message links, tightens web access, and disables risky features.

How to turn it on:

Settings → Privacy & Security → Lockdown Mode → Turn On

You can always turn it off for convenience later—but if you're traveling, dating, or doing sensitive work, turn it on.

2. Use a Strong Passcode (Not Just Face ID) 🔢

Face ID is convenient, but if someone forces you to unlock your phone (👀 looking at you, thieves), they can point it at your face.

Use a 6-digit (or better, alphanumeric) passcode instead of the default 4 digits.

Bonus tip: Go to

Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Turn Off "USB Accessories"
so thieves can’t plug your phone into a data extractor if it’s locked.

3. Set App Tracking to 'Nope' 🚫

Apps love to track you across other apps and websites—even when you're not using them.

Turn that off:

Settings → Privacy → Tracking → Toggle “Allow Apps to Request to Track” → ❌ Off

Now they have to play by your rules.

4. Lock Down Your Apple ID 🔐

Your Apple ID is the skeleton key to everything. If someone gets it, game over.

Do this:

Use a strong, unique password
Turn on 2-Factor Authentication
Add a recovery contact (someone you trust)

Settings → Tap your name → Sign-In & Security

If your Apple ID isn’t protected, your iPhone isn’t protected.

5. Limit What Your Lock Screen Shows 🕵️‍♂️

Your lock screen can reveal more than you think—texts, emails, even 2FA codes.

Tighten it:

Settings → Face ID & Passcode → “Allow Access When Locked” → Disable everything you don’t need (like Notifications, Control Center, etc.)

Now if someone snatches your phone, they can’t peek at private info without unlocking it.

✅ Bottom Line

Your iPhone is secure by default—but only if you use the settings that are already built in. Don’t rely on Face ID alone. Don’t let your lock screen spill secrets. And don’t wait until after your phone is lost or stolen to realize you could’ve locked it down.

Small tweaks. Big peace of mind.

—

🧠 Be the person who knows better. Your iPhone deserves it.

#CyberSafety #iPhoneSecurity #LockItDown #AppleTips #CyberSmart

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Until next time — stay private, stay safe.

— Peter Oram
Chief Cyber Safety Officer