Just when you thought browsing around Safari on your iPhone was perfectly safe — it generally is, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes out for potential issues that can make you more vulnerable to viruses and malware. Your iPhone is equipped with security features that attempt to mitigate problems whenever possible, but no system is flawless. It’s important to avoid these iPhone browsing mistakes that can leave you in a more compromised position and potentially open you up to the threat of viruses, malware, and spyware.
Clicking On Pop-Up Ads
Apple is generally good at keeping pop-ups from invading your screen, and you can purchase pop-up blockers that also prevent these nuisances from invading your screen space. But if you haven’t done this and you are seeing pop-up ads, refrain from clicking on them. Many can lead to phishing sites and malicious downloads that can compromise your data, security, and privacy. Be especially careful of sneaky banners and pop-ups that force you to wait a few seconds before providing an “x” to click on so that you can remove them from your screen — it’s much easier to make a mistake and click on these ads.
Visiting Unsafe Websites
Be very careful if you receive an email from an unknown sender with a link to a website. There are many unsafe websites that aren’t secure and can infect your phone with malicious software or attempt to phish info from you, like sensitive banking information. Many of these sites appear as if they are legit, but if you look closer at the URL you’ll likely notice something misspelled or amiss. Make sure the website you visit starts with “https://“ and never click on links sent to you in emails from senders you do not know.
Entering Personal Information on Unknown Websites
The second most risky thing you can do after visiting an unsafe website is mistaking it for a real website and entering personal information on it. Perhaps it asks you for more info to send you a product. Entering your address and details like your credit card information can seriously compromise your security.
Not Updating Software
Before you browse on Safari, it’s important to make sure your iOS software is up to date. Using old software puts you at a greater security risk, as it may contain bugs and other issues that newer iterations have sorted out. Go to General > Software Update and click on any available updates to download them. It’s also important to check your apps for updates on occasion and make sure they are current, as well.
