The Journal’s findings
The reported thefts revealed that criminals were using iPhone passcodes to break into victims’ accounts, causing significant losses that extended beyond the stolen devices. Apple’s security settings offered limited protection to victims once their passcodes were compromised. Over the past year, hundreds of people have shared their experiences of having their iPhones and digital lives stolen.
How Stolen Device Protection works
When enabled, Stolen Device Protection adds an extra layer of security to your iPhone when you are away from familiar locations, such as home or work. Without this protection, thieves who possess your passcode can change your Apple account password, disabling features like Find My iPhone and facilitating the wiping of the device for resale. By enabling Stolen Device Protection, you can prevent unauthorized changes to your Apple ID password and ensure that your data remains safe.
Additional benefits of Stolen Device Protection
Apart from preventing access to your Apple account, Stolen Device Protection also safeguards access to your iCloud Keychain and other password-protected apps. Thieves who have your passcode won’t be able to unlock these apps unless they can provide your Face ID or Touch ID authentication. Therefore, enabling Stolen Device Protection offers added security for your sensitive information and digital assets.
While Stolen Device Protection provides valuable security features, there are additional precautions you can take to enhance the safety of your iPhone and personal data. It’s important to avoid sharing your passcode with strangers and to keep it hidden when entering it in public. Utilizing Face ID or Touch ID whenever possible offers an extra layer of protection.
Creating a strong and unique alphanumeric passcode is another effective measure. A combination of letters and numbers is more resilient against unauthorized access compared to a standard six-digit code.
Furthermore, setting up separate passcodes to protect specific apps like Coinbase or Robinhood can provide an additional level of security within those applications.
Remember, the repercussions of a stolen phone extend far beyond its replacement cost. If your iPhone is stolen, taking immediate action is crucial. Familiarize yourself with the web address icloud.com/find, which allows you to locate and remotely wipe your device if necessary.
Apple plans to prompt users to enable Stolen Device Protection when it becomes available. Look for the setting under Face ID & Passcode in your iPhone’s settings menu.