If you have an iPhone, you have a pretty secure device with an operating system that goes to great lengths to keep it that way. Generally speaking, your Safari browser isn’t the easiest to hack, thank goodness. Unless you are jailbreaking your device and downloading apps that have not been approved by Apple, it’s hard to get a virus on your iPhone thanks to Apple’s built-in security features.
Of course, mistakes happen. They usually happen when we do things like open up unfamiliar attachments or put in our passwords in a public space, where a hacker could be watching us our every move. But to keep your Safari browser as secure as possible, you can help by avoiding these common browsing mistakes.
You Don’t Have Security Warning Turned On
When you try to visit a website that is suspicious, Apple does a great job of blocking you from entering it before it potentially infects your system with malware. But this can only happen if you have security warnings enabled. Go to Safari > Settings > Security and make sure this feature is turned on.
You’re Using Location Services
When Location Services is enabled, your device becomes privy to your every move. Unless this is necessary for an app to function, you can turn this off by heading to Safari > Preferences > Privacy and turning off location services for Safari.
Websites are Tracking You
Did you know that certain websites take it upon themselves to track you as you go about your other Safari browsing? Feels creepy and intrusive, doesn’t it? The good news is you can stop this from happening by going to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Prevent Cross-Site Tracking. Make sure this setting is enabled.
Your IP Address Isn’t Hidden
Make sure your IP address is hidden from view by going to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Hide IP Address (From Trackers). Not hiding your IP address is a little like publishing your phone number and address online for the world to be able to access.
You’re Still Using Google
Are you using Google as your browser? Most people are — but it isn’t the most secure browser. A better option is to change to the more secure DuckDuckGo. To do this on your iPhone, head to Settings > Safari > Search > tap Search Engine > choose DuckDuckGo.
