In years past, Apple’s ID user identification system was used for little more than logging into your Apple iTunes account. If you wanted to purchase an app, movie, song or television show episode from the iTunes Store, you had to first sign into your Apple ID for authentication. A debit or credit card could be tied to your Apple account, allowing you to quickly purchase all of the digital content you want in just a few quick taps of your finger. In recent years, an increased emphasis has been placed on Apple’s ID system as a way of using its devices. An Apple device like an iPhone essentially won’t be able to function unless you first create an Apple ID to use on it. As the Apple ID is now one of the most important things in your (digital) life, it’s important that you understand the natural safety concerns that go along with it. If someone with malicious intentions gets a hold of your Apple ID, it could spell trouble in a wide variety of different ways.
Username and Password Risks
One of the biggest safety concerns regarding your iPhone and your Apple ID has to do with the large amount of information that is tied to a single username and password. Many people don’t realize just how detrimental it would be if someone with malicious intentions were to get their hands on this sensitive information. Using a single Apple ID and password, someone would be able to get into your iTunes account. From there they could easily find out your billing address, your current home address, your credit card or debit card information and more. At the very least, this hypothetical person could use the information they have to make huge numbers of purchases in the various iTunes digital marketplaces before they get caught. At worst, they have enough to potentially steal your identity. Look to providers like LifeLock, Experian Identity Works, or Identity Guard to help protect your identity if you think yours might be at risk.
Peripheral Services Give Access to Thieves
Another security concern regarding your Apple ID and your password has to do with the services that are built into the iOS operating system that are tied to the device. When you first take your iPhone out of the box and set it up, one of the things you are asked to do is either log into an existing iCloud account or create a free one. Under the default settings of your device, certain types of content are automatically backed up into the iCloud service for safe keeping. This is possible thanks to the fact that all iPhone users get five gigabytes of free online storage with their iCloud account. One of the services that is automatically linked to the iCloud by default is the “Photos” app on your device. Any photo that you take, regardless of its location, is backed up into the iCloud. If a person were able to get their hands on your Apple ID and password, they could have access to every bit of information that was stored in the iCloud service under your name. Every time you take a picture using your iPhone, for example, that photo could potentially be appearing on someone else’s device.
Securities to Help Keep Your Info Protected
Apple has taken a number of steps to help make sure that your Apple ID and password don’t fall into the wrong hands. For starters, every time you use your Apple ID and password on a new device, Apple automatically sends an email notifying you of the action to the email address that the company has on file. The vast majority of the emails will be notifying you of legitimate actions that you made only a few moments prior. When you buy a new MacBook Pro and log into your Apple ID, for example, you should get an email notifying you of this a few minutes later. If you ever get an email notifying you of an action you know you did not take, you should log into your Apple ID and change the password immediately. You should then contact the customer support representatives for Apple and let them help you take care of the problem before it turns into a significant issue for your life.
Adding further protection through a device or identity theft protection provider is a suggested added step. Our identity protection reviews provide a wealth of resources to help you find the right solution for you.
