Hey there! Apple just rolled out a fresh iOS update packed with cool stuff, like teaming up on playlists in Apple Music and a snazzy new Unity wallpaper for Black History Month. But here’s the real game-changer – iOS 17.3 introduces “stolen device protection.”
Basically, it’s like a superhero move against phone thieves. By default, it’s off, so if you’ve updated, do yourself a favor and switch it on.
Here’s the scoop: Some sneaky folks were pilfering iPhones and scoring sensitive info. The key player? The passcode. Even with Face ID or Touch ID, a passcode can still unlock a phone and tweak settings. Thieves were hitting up bars, sweet-talking strangers into handing over their passcodes.
Picture this: A thief posing as a friendly person wanting to add you on Snapchat. To make it seem legit, they’d ask to type in their username on your phone. Sneaky move – they’d lock your phone, ask for the passcode, and store it for later use.
Once they got your passcode, they could mess with your Apple ID settings, turning off Find My iPhone. That means no remote wiping of your device.
But it gets worse – people stash all sorts of things in their iCloud Keychain, like bank app passwords and credit card details. Thieves could even peek into your encrypted notes or use Apple Pay. And if Face ID fails, no worries – they can use that passcode to get in.
So, turn on the stolen device protection, and keep your digital life safe!
Apple gives you an hour to remotely wipe your device
Secure your iPhone with iOS 17.3’s new stolen device protection from Apple. Activate it for enhanced security—Face ID or Touch ID ensures biometric authentication for crucial actions, safeguarding stored passwords and credit cards.
Apple adds an extra layer of security by implementing a security delay for significant changes like altering your Apple ID password, changing the passcode, or disabling stolen device protection. This delay, usually an hour, allows you time to react in case of a theft scenario and remotely wipe your iPhone for data protection.
However, Apple understands the need for convenience. If you’re in a familiar location, like home or work, you can bypass the delay for critical changes, ensuring a smoother experience without compromising security.
To set up this security feature, head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection. Apple strives to strike a balance between robust security and user convenience, making your iPhone experience both safe and hassle-free.
