In the first and second parts of this series, I highlighted the most common ways to keep Apple devices and your data secure.
- Use a Passcode/Password and Face ID/Touch ID
- Log in to iCloud and Enable Find My
- Use a Password Manager
- Keep Your Device’s OS Up to Date
- Use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
- Keep an eye on Passkeys
This post will focus on two lesser known ways to keep to specific types of data safe.
Set up your iPhone to use Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a contactless payment service that allows you to use your existing credit or debit cards in a more secure way. From BGR:
Apple Pay is broadly accepted, and more than being a convenient way to pay, it’s also very secure. After adding your credit card to your iPhone‘s Wallet, every time you make a payment, it generates a random credit card number. That way, third-party companies can’t track your purchase, nor can someone steal your credit card data to make fraudulent purchases.
In addition, even if you have your phone stolen, your credit card information is always secured, as the criminals would need your Face ID/Touch ID authentication or your password to pay. Also, every time you set up a new device, you must add the CVV of your card so Apple ensures you are the only person using your card.
Apple Pay has been available for nearly a decade, but it’s taken a while for the industry to expand support. I have it set up on my iPhone and Apple Watch, and, unlike many tools that increase security, it is incredibly easy to use—I wish everyone who accepted credit cards was required to support Apple Pay!
Save Private Information in the Notes App
With iOS/iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, Apple’s Notes app allows you to lock notes with a password, Touch ID, or Face ID. Locked notes are end-to-end encrypted and are not even accessible to Apple. Locked notes are very easy to manage, and they provides a great way for you to carry important information like bank accounts or insurance details with you at all times in a secured environment.