Privacy and Security

Apple has offered biometric locking features since it introduced Touch ID with the iPhone 5s. With the iPhone X, biometric authentication took the leap to Face ID, and that feature is also included in Apple's newest iPhones, the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. There's a convenient new feature with the latest operating system, iOS 12, that allows facial recognition for not just one, but two people. Now if you'd like to share your iPhone with a partner, friend, or child, you don't have to give them your passcode or open the phone yourself before handing it to them. Let's get started setting your iPhone X and later to recognize a second face. 

If you're worried about reusing the same password for multiple accounts, Apple's iCloud Keychain password manager now has a tool to strengthen your password security. In the Settings app, you can now check your passwords for any exclamation point icons. The exclamation points indicate accounts that have a shared password. Here's how to get rid of the old weak passwords and use Apple's password suggestions to create a unique and secure password instead.

We all want our kids to avoid screen addiction and be safe online, but that can be hard to accomplish when children have open access to the internet via their iPhone or iPad. iOS 12 features Screen Time controls that make parental control not only easy, but also free, whereas in the past you might have to pay for parental control apps to make sure inappropriate content wasn't getting through on your kids' devices. Let's get started learning how to set up Screen Time settings on your child's iPhone and iPad, and how to lock those settings so your curious kids can't access the content you've blocked. 

If you have a child who uses your iPad or iPhone, you'll love this tip. Keeping our kids from seeing inappropriate content online can be a struggle, but with iOS 12, Apple makes it even easier to set content restrictions on your personal devices (we will cover how to use Parental Controls to set restrictions on a child's personal device in a future tip.) If you ever hand your iPhone to the back seat to keep your kids occupied on a long car ride or let them watch a movie on your iPad while you get dinner together, you'll want to read this tip to make sure they're only accessing age-appropriate material. 

Like many dads, I sent my daughter off to college and this device is going with her. It's appropriately called the D.A.D. 2 Defense Alert Device ($129.99) and it's made by TigerLight. The D.A.D. 2 does so many things. First, it's a pepper spray device and it even comes with a sample safe spray so you can practice using it. That's a smart idea.

Have you ever received a text message that's obviously a spam text? We've already gone over how to block a call on iPhone, as well as how to block telemarketers, scammers, and spammers on iPhone calls, but what if you're getting spoof text messages? There is a way to report spam texts right in the Messages app; when you do this, the content and sender's information is sent to Apple. Once you've made your report, you can block the number that the potential text message scam came from, and never receive a call or message from that number again! Let's get started learning how to report fake text messages on iPhone. 

If you have the Facebook app on your iPhone, you've agreed to allow Facebook access to all your phone's contacts. If you don't remember giving that permission, neither do I; but apparently, it's part and parcel of the terms of service. Don't worry, though; there's an easy way to change this sharing setting and make the names and numbers in your Contacts app private again. Let's get started learning how to stop Facebook from accessing your Contacts on iPhone. 

Apple has incorporated biometric authentication into the iPhone since the 5s, when Touch ID was introduced. Last year, thanks to the TrueDepth camera that's able to map 3D surfaces, the iPhone X included a brand-new feature called Face ID. iPhone X owners who've set up FaceID can use the feature to unlock their devices, as well as pay for purchases in the iTunes store, Apple Books, the App Store, and to make payments with Apple Pay. Although this feature does add significant convenience to the iPhone experience, many Face ID users have complained that only one person can be registered per device, as opposed to the five different fingerprints that could be set up in Touch ID. It looks as though this issue may be solved with iOS 12, though, because the Beta version gives users the opportunity to register an Alternative Appearance upon setting up Face ID. 

Using two-factor authentication helps ensure that the accounts associated with your Apple ID are safe. Even if someone has your login name and password, they won't be able to access your accounts without a verification code from a trusted phone number or one of your trusted devices. Once you verify a new device, you won't need to use two-factor authentication again unless you sign out of it completely, erase your device, or change your password. Similarly, when signing in on the web, you can choose to trust that browser so that you don't have to go through the verification process each time you sign into your account on your computer. Let's go over the steps of signing in to a new device or iCloud account with two-factor authentication.

Instagram account holders have been hit with a wave of spam lately, and from a different source than many have previously experienced. I'm talking about the auto-like or auto-follow phenomenon, where Instagrammers suddenly notice they're following unfamiliar accounts. How does this happen? Insta-following seems to happen when Instagram apps are granted more access to our accounts than they should have. Let's learn how to revoke permissions from spammy apps so we can reclaim our iPhone's Instagram feeds.

Apple unveiled iOS 12 today at the WWDC 2018 Keynote, and we can expect exciting improvements and features when the iOS update is released in the fall. From overall upgrades to performance, privacy, and security, to app overhauls for the News and Stocks apps, to fun additional Animoji choices, as well as the brand-new Memoji option, Apple engineers have put together a well-balanced crowd-pleaser of an operating system that we can't wait to upload to our devices! Let's go over which devices are compatible with iOS 12, discuss all the new iOS features, and learn how to sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program to try out iOS 12 before the official release date. 

Facebook recently announced a new facial recognition feature that informs account holders when their image appears in other people's photos and videos, then allows them to tag themselves. In addition, the feature warns Facebook users when their picture is used to open another account. While some Facebook users find the facial recognition feature innocuous, or even helpful, others prefer to steer clear of what they perceive as an invasion of privacy. For those of you who would like to turn off facial recognition on Facebook, read on to learn how to do so on your iPhone.  

Touch ID and Face ID are great iPhone security features, but if you want the best protection for your device, you need an iPhone passcode. Not too long ago, Apple changed from having a four-digit code as the default to an even-harder-to-crack, six-digit code as the default. Better yet, you can set an alphanumeric code that's six digits or longer as your iPhone passcode. If you're looking for the best security code possible, an alphanumeric code is your best bet. Let's get started learning how to set a new passcode on your iPhone now. 

Instagram keeps track of the various hashtags, accounts, and locations account holders search for so that they can easily find their favorite pictures again, and also to use in offering suggested searches to follow and like. If you're not comfortable with your search history being saved, you can clear your Instagram search history. Keep in mind, though, that your new searches will continue to be logged, so you'll need to go through and delete all searches periodically if you don't want them on record. Let's get started learning how to clear search history on Instagram on your iPhone. 

I've tried several smart door locks over the years and, while such devices can be quite convenient, there are often compromises. Not so with the Assure Lock SL ($169) from Yale. I really liked how heavy duty and well made the equipment is. The Assure Lock SL is sold in assorted finishes (satin nickel, polished brass, or oil rubbed bronze) so it should fit in with most homes. It also sports a compact, elegant touchscreen that makes it easy to lock the door on your way out; just tap the keypad as opposed to hunting for a lock button.

You may have heard or read the acronym VPN in recent news stories about internet privacy and security and wondered, "what is VPN?" VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, an extension of a private network over a public one that allows users to send and receive data safely, securely, and anonymously so that hackers, websites, and advertisers can't access it. In addition to addressing privacy concerns like hacking and malware, a VPN allows users to remotely utilize the private internal systems and features of workplace and other networks without being on site. If you work from home, travel, or enjoy taking your tablet or laptop to the coffee shop to catch up on emails, social networking, or banking, it's time to join a Virtual Private Network! Before picking the best VPN service for your needs, there are a few things to learn. Let's get started familiarizing ourselves with Virtual Private Networks. 

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The numbers in the Cambridge Analytica Facebook scandal just keep climbing, from an original 55 million to a new estimate of nearly 87 million account holders who have had their data breached. This is because the quiz, "This Is Your Digital Life," collected data not only from Facebook users who completed it, but from all their Facebook friends as well. Facebook has barred the personality quiz from the platform and sent a message to all account holders who took the quiz, but if you'd like to make sure your data wasn't also breached, there's a way to find out. Let's check and see if our Facebook accounts have been compromised by Cambridge Analytica; it's easy to do right from your iPhone. 

Safari's AutoFill is a feature that automatically enters contacts, logins, passwords, and credit card information, so you don't have to spend time remembering and typing the same things over and over. AutoFill can even create secure passwords if you're having trouble coming up with your own. If you have iCloud set up and iCloud Keychain enabled, iCloud Keychain will securely store AutoFill information from Safari. Once your AutoFill information is stored, it can be automatically entered across all Apple devices you sign into your iCloud account on. But what happens when some of your information changes and AutoFill keeps entering old data? Don't worry; there is a way to update your AutoFill information right from your iPhone! Let's get started learning how to update credit card information, so your AutoFill data is once again helpful and correct. 

You've been trying to get in touch with a friend or family member, but they haven't returned your calls or messages. Are they just busy, is something wrong with their phone, or have they blocked your number? How can you tell if someone blocked your number? There's not a surefire way to know if your number is blocked, but there are a few telling signs that indicate someone blocked your number from texting or calling. We've already gone over how to block a number, as well as how to block your number or call privately, now let's go over the clues that calls and messages from your iPhone are being blocked.