It’s a great day to secure your Apple and iCloud accounts

Apple User Security Guide: Protecting Your iCloud and Device Data

As an Apple user, you may have an iCloud account and multiple devices that store personal information. When major data breaches and hacking incidents make headlines, you may think that Apple's emphasis on security can ensure your safety, but that's not a reason to take it lightly. There are many steps you can do to strengthen data protection and make stealing your data even more difficult.

After enabling two-factor authentication, enhancing your password, and completing the following security tips, you may want to continue to focus on the security of other important accounts. First, check out our guide on locking Facebook and Google accounts.

Apple Security Basics

You should set up a solid barrier on the door to the Apple world. This means setting a long and unique password for your MacBook, setting a long PIN for your iPhone, and setting a long and unique password for your iCloud account. Passwords should contain combinations of upper and lower case letters, special characters and numbers to make them as difficult to crack as possible. ("Passw0rd!" Such passwords are not secure enough.) Also do not set passwords to your address, birthday, or pet's name - experienced attackers may investigate this information to break through your defense. Finally, avoid using the same password for Mac and iCloud. In this way, even if one is cracked, the other still has some protection.

[Related: All ways to customize iPhone lock screen]

Your common sense will be one of your best defenses. Hackers often trick people into leaking login information instead of running complex brute-force attacks. Be wary of phishing links in emails and social media and be skeptical of any links that immediately ask you to log in with your Apple ID credentials.

Apple is your best ally when it comes to Apple device security. Its operating systems (macOS, iOS, and iPadOS) encrypt data by default. This means that without the correct password or PIN, you cannot extract any data from your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook.

Enable Apple's two-factor authentication feature

Apple accounts can be better protected with two-factor authentication (TFA). This feature is suitable for most major online accounts, which means that a login account requires an additional verification code in addition to its username and password.

For Apple's two-factor authentication, attempting to log in triggers a message sent to your phone number, or a verification code displayed on another device associated with your Apple ID. For example, if you are setting up a new iPhone, you will see the verification code on your existing MacBook.

To enable two-factor authentication on iOS or iPadOS, open the Settings app and click your name at the top of the screen. Then select Password & Security to find the two-factor authentication option. On macOS Ventura or later, click the Apple menu , go to System Settings , and then click Your name . Then click Login and Security, and then click next to Two-factor authentication to open . Follow the instructions to set everything up.

[Related: 7 new features of macOS Ventura]

If you are using macOS Monterey or older versions of Apple operating system, you can open the

Apple menu , select System Preferences , and select Apple ID, then select Password & Security and enable the feature from this screen to find the TFA settings.

After logging in to the device, use your Apple ID, password, and TFA code, the device will be marked as trusted, meaning you do not need to log in with TFA again. Therefore, be sure to set passwords, PINs and other types of protections for your computer and phone to prevent unauthorized access.

Manage Apple security settings in a web browser

To configure additional parts of security settings, open your Apple ID account page in a web browser. Make sure your registered email address and trusted phone number are up to date and secure, as you may need them if you lose your account access.

Under the

Devices (in the menu on the left), you can see the iPhone, iPad, and computers associated with your account. Take advantage of this opportunity to delete any devices you no longer use or recognize. It is a good idea to check this list regularly in case your account is leaked or you are logged in to a place you shouldn't be logged in.

Any web browser on any computer can access iCloud suite's web applications and services. If you are using a public computer or a computer shared with others, make sure to log out after completion. Some browsers may require your password to be remembered. You can allow this on your personal computer, but make sure that other measures prevent visitors from accessing the browser. For example, set a user account password to log in to the operating system.

On iCloud.com, you can also log out of all currently logged in to your browser. To do this, please click on the

Apple ID avatar in the upper right corner, click iCloud settings , select Log out all browsers , and then click Log out . This way, you can make sure no one uses your iCloud account using any other browser other than the one you open.

Other Apple safety tips

Apple's app store built into iOS, iPadOS and macOS does a great job of protecting you from dangerous software and viruses. On your phone or tablet, you don't need to install anything from outside the iOS App Store. However, on your computer, you may need to occasionally venture outside the walls of the macOS App Store. If you do this, read user reviews and web articles to double-check the security of any programs you install.

As for the physical security of your device, you certainly hope that everything goes well, but also be prepared for the worst. So now take the time to think about how you will deal with it if your iPhone, iPad, or computer is still hacked despite all the precautions you have taken. We recommend that you enable the Find feature on your device. If your device falls into the hands of a bad guy, this will allow you to locate and wipe your device remotely over the network, but if you just lose your tech device in your own home, you can make it sound using the Find feature .

On iOS or iPadOS, click Your name in Settings to find the "Find" app, on macOS Ventura or later, please go through Apple menu > ; System settings > Privacy and security > Location service > Find for navigation. If you are using macOS Monterey or earlier, you need Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > Find my Mac > Allow.

[Related: How to Turn Off Your Location on iPhone]

At the same time, if you already have Apple products in full and have an Apple Watch, you can use this wearable as a safe way to unlock macOS, saving you the hassle of entering your password every time. To set this feature on macOS Ventura or later, open the Apple menu , click System Settings , click Login Password , and select Use Apple Watch unlocks apps and Mac. On macOS Monterey or older, please go through the Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > GeneralTo find the same Apple Watch unlock settings.

This story has been updated. It was originally published in 2017.

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