In the News
The latest update on your device might not be protecting you as well as you believe. In Bug in New iOS Lets Attacker Access iPhone Pics, Kacy Zurkus at InfoSecurity Magazine discusses Apple’s newest iOS which contained a bug allowing malicious attackers with physical access to the phone to access the user’s photos even if the phone itself is locked. Zurkus explains that the process of obtaining and sending one’s stolen photos takes a 10-step process and requires a level of skill to accomplish.
Our Take
Our mobile devices have become so connected to our individual identities that the thought of having its contents compromised may be hard to wrap one’s head around. A singular device like our smartphone contains years of personal photographs and videos, private messages, and access to the multitude of apps and accounts one uses on a daily basis. By now, everyone should understand the importance of updating your devices to ensure they have the most recent security defenses and application updates. However, just because a system or app has an update does not imply that the update is in any way perfect or a fix for every potential issue. The bug plaguing iOS devices compromised user photos and videos, content that can be highly personal and private. Understanding the risks of storing personal content on a single device as well as best practices for keeping your devices secure is crucial.
Recommendations
So how can you protect the personal content stored on your mobile devices?
- Always back up your data to an external device or cloud service and save important content before you post
- Be mindful of the content you store on your devices and think about its impact if it falls into the wrong hands
- Be aware of default settings on mobile apps and turn on privacy settings as needed
- If your device is ever lost or stolen, deactivate it as soon as possible to minimize the risk of your personal content being exposed
- Stay up to date on news regarding recent security breaches to see if you may have been affected