How to Protect Yourself From Apple IPhone Errors
Apple is once again stuck with a terrific iOS bug that compromises your security and privacy. And no, this is not the usual “somebody found a way to bypass any authentication method you are using” deal that comes up frequently in iOS releases . That’s a big problem: a FaceTime bug that allows another person to eavesdrop on your device.
I’ll start with the good news. At the time of this writing, Apple has already disabled Group FaceTime, which prevents anyone from hearing what you are doing. The company also promises to fix the problem this week with another update.
Bad news? It is believed that this trick can work with any device running at least iOS 12.1 (and macOS !), Which was released at the end of October last year. Even though the bug only hit the headlines on the last day, there is no reason to believe the dubious types didn’t know about it for months.
More importantly, this is further confirmation that Apple doesn’t seem to be able to properly test iOS. I understand that this is all a cat and mouse business; Apple releases a new version of iOS, and someone with a lot of free time finds an incomprehensible way to do something they shouldn’t.
Plus, Apple is not a startup.
The company has limitless resources – even if they are likely to face a stock market crash today – so there is no particular reason why everything they release should not be QC to death. It is clear that there is some failure in the testing process, and it is a shame that the company’s customers are constantly confronted with a mess.
In fact, it might be time to start more actively monitoring your security and privacy on Apple devices. I’ve been thinking about this all day and here are some ideas I came up with:
Stop installing major versions of Apple operating systems on the first day
I’m not saying that you should never install the latest and greatest version of iOS, because we all love to play with new features, fix annoying bugs and fix security holes. However, maybe wait a few days. Or a week. Or a month. Or any time frame you can give Apple to see if any new exploits or other annoying issues emerge. Wait for fanatical Apple fans to try to find exploits, then install major updates as soon as Apple plugs the holes.
Do not beta test Apple operating systems
It’s my fault, but maybe it’s time to stop being Apple’s guinea pig. I don’t want any new version of iOS to open a security hole in my device. I would be much more comfortable with the latest public release, which is less likely – but not guaranteed – to have fewer exploits.
Remove or disable what you are not using
I’ve never used Group FaceTime. In fact, I rarely use FaceTime. And if I just turn it off on my device , instead of letting it sit in the background and do nothing, then no one can use it to hear what I’m up to. And while I can’t predict where the next bug will hit Apple’s software, I would recommend conducting a thorough audit of your iPhone or iPad the next time you have time to kill. Have you ever used this or that application? Not? Delete it. Familiarize yourself with the services and features of your device. What are you not using? What can be disabled? The fewer entry points for potential exploits, the better.
Start paying attention to Apple
Otherwise, set up a Google News alert for “Apple + bug”, “Apple + exploit” or any other phrases you want. While it is important to keep up to date with the latest vulnerabilities of any of your computer devices, I would be less worried about having the latest firmware on your desktop motherboard that you should still care about! the chaos that the newly discovered iOS issue could cause. Your smartphone is probably your most used tech gadget. Keep him safe.
Remember, you are not invulnerable.
It’s always good to remember that your smartphone is safe enough, but not perfect. If you lose it, don’t assume Touch or Face ID is enough to keep a special attacker – or someone who does a quick web search at just the right time – from infiltrating some aspects of your phone’s content. Will Apple problems ever prevent me from taking my iPhone to the bathroom with me? Probably no. I’m not that crazy. However, keeping it securely at your disposal (at a friend’s house, at a party, when you go out, etc.) is the best security you can have, and you might not want to be so casual about yours. device in the future. …