iPhone security tip (for people who don't like to enable security)

If you have an iPhone you probably have sensitive information on it.  If you're a lawyer or businessman, and you use your phone for business, then you almost certainly do.  You should enable the Passcode Lock on your phone that requires a 4 digit PIN to access the phone's data.  Of course, if you work in a large firm your IT person will no doubt have the ability to do a remote wipe if you lose your phone.  

But what do you do if you aren't in a large firm?  Or what if you don't like having to enter the passcode every time you fire up your phone?  Here is my tip for people in this category.  Set the passcode lock to trigger only if the phone hasn't been used for 1 hour (or, if you're really annoyed by the passcode lock, then choose the 4 hour option).  True, if the phone is stolen the thief (or finder) will have immediate access to your data.  But if the thief or finder assumes that you've not enabled the passcode lock they'll be surprised when it kicks in after a period of non-use.

In other words, if the passcode lock annoys you then at least choose one of the minimal options.  It won't annoy you and at least you'll have enabled some security.  To set the code go to SETTTINGS > GENERAL > PASSCODE LOCK > REQUIRE PASSCODE.

If you want to learn more about using iPhones in the practice of law visit this site.

Comments

[Scott]

Excellent advice Ernie. Another option I use is to enable the phone to Erase Data after 10 failed passcode attempts. This way the thief would wind up with an expensive paperweight at the end of the day. Gotta love that!

[Ernie the Attorney]

I forgot about the wipe feature. With that I'd set the 'Erase Data' to occur after 3 or 4 attempts. If you, the owner, accidently wipe the data you can easily restore from your last backup. But the thief will have nothing. And you don't want to let a thief (i.e. hacker) have 10 shots. You're not going to accidentally fail to get the password after 2 or 3 attempts. Only someone who is not supposed to be messing with the phone will fail that many times. And so you want the wipe to happen right away.

[Scott]

I never knew you could manipulate the settings on the number of password attempts. I would set it to 3 if it is possible.

[Ernie the Attorney]

I was wrong. I thought you could manipulate it, and I tried but found out you can't. Too bad. This one area where manipulation is called for.

[Peter Huang]

Interesting post Ernie. As you noted, a useful option would be to perform a remote wipe if your iPhone is stolen. Can Apple assist the unlucky user with performing a remote wipe if that user doesn't have access to big-firm level resources? Thanks.

[Santino]

SETTTINGS > GENERAL > PASSCODE LOCK > REQUIRE PASSCODE. Thank you Earnie, keep them coming.