[Fox News] 8 ways to lock up your private stuff on your iPhone

With our cellphones holding more of our personal info than ever, it’s important to keep all of it, including your photos and documents, away from prying eyes. Joseph from Fort Myers, Florida, reached out with a concern many of us share. He’s asking how to keep his photos and documents hidden on his iPhone.

“I am looking for a secure way to store personal information on my iPhone, numbers, passwords, documents, pictures – like insurance cards and photos. Do I need an app? If so, what do you recommend?” — Joseph, Fort Myers, Florida

That is an important question as keeping data private is getting harder and harder to do well, but fortunately your iPhone has some built-in features that will help you with this. Plus, there are some well-known and trusted solutions that you might also want to consider making sure your private data remains just that – private.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

Your iPhone’s passcode and Face ID are the gatekeepers of your data. So you’ll want to set up these to ensure that others cannot access your iPhone beyond the lock screen. Here’s how to make them impenetrable.

Remember to change your passcode periodically to maintain security.

MORE: BEST ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR PHONE

This feature is not just for locating your device, but also for keeping it secure if it falls into the wrong hands. Here’s how to activate ‘Find My iPhone’.

MORE: HOW TO FIND YOUR LOST IPHONE

Prevent awkward moments when someone browses your photo album. Instead of deleting personal photos temporarily, create a dedicated album for hiding them. Your iPhone offers built-in features to secure and hide photos. Here’s how to do it.

MORE: THE IPHONE PRIVACY SETTING YOU NEED TO TURN OFF

iCloud Keychain simplifies your digital life by synchronizing your passwords and securing data across all your devices. It automatically fills in essential information – such as Safari and app usernames, passwords, credit card details and Wi-Fi passwords – on any device you authorize. No more manual input required.

By default, iCloud Keychain works only with Safari, but it’s also available on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on a Mac or Windows PC through iCloud for Windows and the iCloud Passwords extension.

Before you turn on iCloud Keychain, update your device to the latest iOS or iPadOS or the latest version of macOS and make sure that two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple ID.

Find, change or delete saved passwords and passkeys on your Mac and keep them updated across all of your devices. Here’s how to view saved passwords and passkeys in System Settings.

MORE: BEST PORTABLE PHONE CHARGERS OF 2024

To go beyond iCloud’s keychain for increased security, you’ll want to invest in a password manager. These are created specifically for the protection of passwords and include features for important documents and photos. This is also beneficial when sharing private data with family members.

Using 1Password as an example, you will notice that the startup screen offers storage for credit cards, identification cards, passwords and documents. We would recommend usage of the documents folder for images, and you will also see options for medical records, software licenses and even the password for your internet’s wireless router. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2024 here.

Joseph also asked about storing personal information on his iPhone, like insurance cards. Well, if your insurance provider has an app that contains digital ID cards, you can usually add your card to Apple Wallet. 

Start by downloading your auto or health insurance provider’s app from the App Store. Not all insurance providers support Apple Wallet. You can find out if yours does by looking for an “ID Cards” area of the app.

If you don’t see the option to save the card to your wallet, you can still use the digital version of your card in the provider’s app when you need to – just pull it up on the screen when asked for your insurance card.

Keep your frequently used apps accessible but discreetly tucked away by removing them from your home screen. This ensures they remain private and aren’t publicly visible on your Home Screen.

If you want to prevent sensitive information from appearing on your lock screen, you’ll want to perform these steps. 

If you use the Notes app, you’ll want to protect your private notes by setting a password. Here’s how to do it.

With these eight steps, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your iPhone data secure. Remember, security is all about layers. Using a strong passcode, enabling Face ID, Touch ID, Find My iPhone and hiding sensitive photos are all great first steps. If you’re looking for an extra layer of protection, that’s where password managers come in. These apps securely store your passwords, documents and even credit card information. They can also be really helpful for sharing logins with family members securely. Lastly, limit lock screen notifications and lock your Notes with a password to add another barrier to anyone trying to gain access to your device.

What data do you keep on your phone that you worry most about if your phone is lost or stolen? Do you have proper backups of your data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Read More 

[Fox News] Get ready for a foldable electric car that makes parking a breeze

Have you ever wished you could park your car in a tight spot without worrying about scratches or dents? Or drive through narrow streets without getting stuck in traffic? If so, you might be interested in the City Transformer’s CT-2 electric car, a revolutionary vehicle that can fold itself to fit any space.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

The CT-2 electric car is designed to offer practical adaptability for urban drivers. It can seamlessly transition from being 4.26 wide to 3.28 feet wide for parking at the push of a button. This means that it can drive like a car and park like a motorcycle, saving space and time.

The car also has twin engines in the rear wheels, providing up to 20 horsepower and a top speed of 55.9 mph in its full-width mode. It has a range of 74.6 to 111.8 miles. The power output is 15 kilowatts.

MORE: BEST DASH CAMS FOR YOUR CAR

The car is equipped with a smart dashboard that displays the battery level, speed and width settings. It also has a touch screen that allows the driver to control the music, navigation and other features. The next generation of the car will be able to connect to the internet and receive updates and alerts from the manufacturer.

The CT-2 is a two-seater car that has a tandem seating position designed to conserve space.

The car has a safety system that prevents it from folding or unfolding while in motion or when the doors are open. It also comes with front and rear disk brakes as well as advanced driver-assistance system on the next generation, blind spot monitoring and forward collision warning system.

The CT-2 electric car has several advantages over conventional cars, especially in crowded and congested cities. Some of these benefits are as follows. 

Space-saving: The car can fold itself to park like a motorcycle and occupy less than a quarter of a standard parking spot, allowing up to four vehicles to fit in one space. This reduces the need for parking infrastructure and frees up space for other uses. The car can also drive through narrow alleys and lanes inaccessible to larger vehicles, avoiding traffic jams and saving time.

Energy-efficient: The car runs on electricity, which is cheaper and cleaner than fossil fuels. The car has a low carbon footprint and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 

Cost-effective: The car has a low maintenance cost, as it has fewer moving parts and less wear and tear than conventional cars. The car also has a low insurance cost, as it is less likely to be involved in accidents or thefts. The car also has a low operating cost, as it consumes less electricity and does not require gas or oil.

MORE: DON’T JUDGE THIS SOLAR CAR JUST BY ITS SIZE

The CT-2 electric car is not without its limitations. It is not suitable for long-distance travel, as it has a range of 112 miles that drops to 74 miles with air conditioning on. Another challenge is the lack of infrastructure and regulations for folding cars. The car may also encounter difficulties accessing charging stations, as they may not be compatible with its size and shape.

The CT-2 electric car is expected to cost about $19,000 and has already captured attention, especially among first responders. One thousand orders have been placed for medical emergency crews. An additional 1,000 orders from around the globe are in the pipeline. Production is set to commence in Italy, and City Transformer aims for a public release in July.

City Transformer is projected to enter mass production in the latter half of 2025. They tell us they plan to start delivering vehicles to our first customers towards the end of 2025.

MORE: WHY SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE ABLE TO COMPLETELY BREAK THE RULES IN THIS CALIFORNIA CITY

The CT-2 electric car offers a smart urban solution for drivers who value maneuverability and convenience. It can fold itself to fit any space, drive with speed and stability, and save energy and emissions. I can see this being a hit in crowded cities like New York City.

Considering the CT-2’s range and power output, would you consider it a practical choice for your daily commute? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Read More