IOS Alert - Was Your iPhone, iPad or Apple ID Hacked?

Apple has made it easy for your business to connect to and network with all of your IOS devices. Using your iPhone and iPad to share data is simple, and you can sign into all Apple services with just one Apple ID and password. But with ease of connectivity and data sharing come additional cyber threats. When a hacker steals your Apple ID and password, they have potentially gained access to your Apple devices, your personal and business data, your location, your payment accounts for all Apple services and your credit card. Fortunately, there are ways to discover if you’ve been hacked and ways to prevent it.

How to Tell if Your iPhone is Hacked

Here are a few simple signs to look for:

Your Data Usage Has Increased – If you don’t hit your data limit every month and suddenly, your phone bill shows a significant increase, you may be the victim of a security breach. A hacker may have placed hidden apps on your phone that allows them to connect to other parties without your knowledge, consuming a lot of your data.
Your iPhone is Malfunctioning – Is your iPhone behaving strangely? You know how your phone is supposed to work. If strange software appears, you receive unexplained or unusual error messages or if simple functions are slow or cannot be executed, you might not need a new phone. The malfunctioning could be a sign you’ve been hacked.
Your Battery is Life Degrading – Phone batteries lose the ability to hold a charge sooner or later. But if you’ve had your phone for only a short period of time, unexpected battery drainage could be a sign that a hacker has installed an app that is running in the background.
Mysterious Apps Appear – Be aware of every app you have installed on your phone. Makes sure they are from trusted sources. But if you see apps that you don’t remember downloading, your iPhone has probably been hacked.

Unfortunately, once your Apple ID is hacked, your iPhone and your iPad are also vulnerable. But thanks to basic Apple security protocols, you will receive an email or text notification when your account has been accessed or modified by an unknown source. This notification will also tell you the origin of the login attempt or other action taken with your Apple account. Resist the urge to click “authorize” before verifying the legitimacy of the login.

Signs that your Apple ID May Have Been Compromised include:

Your password no longer works.
Receiving a notice from Apple that your Apple ID password was changed, and you didn’t change it.
You receive a notification that an attempt to login to your account has been made from a device or place you don’t recognize or did not authorize to use the account.
Finding charges on your account for purchases you didn’t make.

How Can I See Where My Apple ID is Being Used?

Unfortunately, you cannot view your Apple ID login history. However, you can check to see what devices are currently logged in to your account through your device settings. Your settings will also tell you where the login attempts were made. If you don’t recognize the device and location, there is a very good chance that your Apple ID and password have been stolen. A hacker can be anywhere in the world, using your Apple accounts and stealing your data. Some malicious hackers will even erase all of your data, wiping your device clean. If you see a device you don’t recognize logged into your account in a place where you are sure you don’t have any activity, your Apple ID has been stolen. Phishing scams https://www.fbi.gov/ scams-and-safety/ common-scams-and-crimes/ spoofing-and-phishing are mostly used by hackers to breach personal and business data. You must verify the credentials of senders before you click on attachments in emails and texts.

Case Study – Apple Devices are Vulnerable

In Georgia, a man was indicted for stealing Apple IDs. He sent out thousands of emails, posing as an Apple customer service representative. Once a target fell victim to his scheme, the hacker requested that they send him their username and password or answer their security challenge questions. Once armed with those answers, the hacker could change their passwords and lock them out of their own accounts. After successfully breaching their accounts, he spent thousands of dollars using the victims’ payment information and sold their company data to outside parties.

Managed IT

Your small or mid-sized business must protect against attacks on its devices and confidential data. The more connected we get, the more we must defend against hacking. Each new device put into use opens another potential attack portal to put your personal and business data at risk. You are busy running your business. You cannot afford to be slowed down by cyberattacks. GEEK-AID can evaluate all of your network devices and systems to ensure that you have the best possible cyber security. GEEK-AID provides full network services, computer repair and IT services for small and midsized businesses, specializing in helping their clients defend against all forms of cyberattacks.

Schedule a phone call to find out more about securing office and mobile devices that access your network. GEEK-AID experts can assess your network risks and provide a cost-effective IT security plan for your business. Call (877) GEEK-AID (877 433-5243).