iOS is a somewhat safer mobile OS as Apple maintains a tight control over its app store and operating system – it is often called a walled garden - but even that has not stopped those that use bootleg software loaded on jailbroken devices, enterprise provisioning, or fake greyware laden apps from entering.
Apple maintains that anti-virus and malware programs are not required and who are we to argue? But most security reports state iOS is the cybercriminal target of 2017. If a cybercriminal does manage to hack into iOS they can access personal bank account data, credit card passwords, name, address, social media accounts and so on. And it is not just about malware – it is about adware, greyware, fake apps, visiting poisoned websites and who knows when a canny cybercriminal will breach the wall?
There are some things you can do to increase your wall height over other users. NordVPN, a provider of secure and anonymous virtual private networks has provided a list of apps that you may want to use on your unassailable iOS device.
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Let’s start with as VPN – NordVPN says it has a deal for iOS users. A VPN encrypts the data shared across the Internet and is the best security mechanism to ensure the Internet traffic remains confidential. NordVPN has a reputation of focusing on security and having a zero logs policy, is fast and easy to use. The developers at NordVPN have launched a powerful new VPN app for iPhone that is also intuitive and good-looking. The new iOS app re-routes and encrypts all Internet traffic making the connection private and secured while using top of the line security protocol IKEv2/IPsec.
Norton has beefed up its Mobile Security to provide layered defence when you need to step outside the wall. iTWire has more here. NordVPN also recommend using Norton’s Identity Safe to beef up password protection. it saves all user names and passwords on iPhone and iPad and syncs them across devices. Secure passwords can be created within the app. The app also allows for faster checkout as fill-ins forms with the user’s bank information.
Signal is an encrypted messaging and voice calling app that provides end-to-end encryption to secure all communications. The app can also verify the identity of people one is messaging with and the integrity of the channel they are using. When texting with non-Signal users, one has an option to invite them to an encrypted conversation via Signal.
Tor Messenger is an encrypted messenger created by the makers of Tor, the world¹s most popular encrypted Internet browser, synonymous with the dark web. Tor Messenger is a cross-platform chat app that is secure by default and sends all messages over Tor Network. The app supports a good number of transport networks, such as IRC, Google Talk, Facebook Chat, Yahoo, and others, and enables Off-The-Record (OTR) messaging - a safe and encrypted way to have private conversations - over Tor’s network of computers for greater anonymity.
The ZeroEmail App is a self-learning email app created to organize the inbox by relevance or importance. It has an original card-style format that allows for single swiping, making it quite fast and easy. Zero does not store messages and personal information on remote servers, meaning it all stays on the phone, so it¹s perfect for those who don¹t believe in storing their information on a cloud.
Keeply is a spy-level app for an average user. It stores a user's private moments and data - pins, credit cards, notes, photos, and videos - right on the phone. Keeply’s provides a Fake Pin feature, which is the alternate password that the user can give to their nosy friends or family - when they enter it, the app shows an empty application. Face-down Lock, on the other hand, causes Keeply to close immediately when it's placed face down. It can also take a photo of anyone who enters a wrong pin into the phone. Best of all: nothing ever leaves the phone.
Secret Calculator is another app for storing user’s private photos, videos, notes, contacts, and other sensitive data behind an innocent-looking calculator app.
LockItUp app allows to simply lock a PC or Mac from anywhere by using iPhone. It’s all cloud-based, so there's no need to be on the same Wi-Fi or network for it to work. The app runs in the background quietly and consumes very little CPU.
Best Phone Security Pro is an app that will ring an alarm as soon as someone unauthorized touches the device. The user can choose the lock option: Touch ID, pattern lock or passcode lock. You can even record your own alarm sound.
It’s becoming increasingly important to make sure that all digital devices, whether used privately or by the company, are as secure as possible. Just as we protect our homes with locks and security systems, fielding potential intruders, we should make sure our devices are also properly protected especially because these days, most of the valuable information is stored online. Besides security and privacy apps, everyone should use common sense when sharing information on their devices, encrypt when using public Wi-Fi and always use strong passwords.