How to protect your iPhone

January 18, 2012

If you have recently acquired an iPhone you will be aware of how brilliant they are and how thiefworthy too. Losing or having your smartphone stolen does not mean you have lost everything you prize – if you are a smart owner you will take the following advice to protect your phone and avoid a future disaster.

The basics:

Do set a passcode for your phone’s home screen and if your phone is stolen the perpetrator will have to work out your code before being able to access it. To do this go into your phone settings and select Passcode Lock. For this to work automatically, your phone must be in auto-lock mode as this ensures your phone locks after a preset time (one to five minutes).

Do add a pin code to your SIM card too as this will prevent thieves putting your SIM into their phone. Go to phone settings and select SIM card, enable security and enter a personal SIM pin code.

Do back up your phone regularly. Connect your phone to your computer daily so you have the latest back-up of your data. With the latest iPhones (4and 4S) you can store your data remotely on iCloud then if you lose your phone, your contacts, photos etc. will all be saved in the iCloud cyberspace. ICloud updates will happen automatically.

Do consider downloading a security system such as Norton Mobile Security (£24.99 uk.norton.com/mobile-security ) as this will protect you through SMS commands. For example, the ‘Sneak Peek’ feature will remotely take a photo of the thief using the front-facing camera and upload the picture to an anti-theft site.

Do get your iPhone insured. Consider adding this to your home insurance as this is a better and cheaper option when compared to insuring with a network which can be expensive. Get an ‘all risks’ home insurance cover which adds extra protection for items such as phones, iPads and laptops at a monthly cost between £3.99 and £6.99. When deciding check to see that you are covered for loss and water damage and you will be offered a replacement phone. Check to see whether you are covered for calls made after your phone has been lost or stolen.

Do check the free app ‘Find my iPhone’ from iTunes – this allows you to use another device such as your iPad or computer to locate your missing iPhone on a map ( it will provide you with a Street name where your iPhone can be found. You can set a passcode lock remotely- good if you don’t have auto-lock set up on your phone. You can remotely delete all sensitive information on your lost phone and instruct it to play a sound remotely (even if set on silent) and it can display a message on your homescreen so that if someone finds it they know how to return it to you.

If you have found this information helpful please browse our other guides.

 

 

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