• March 19, 2024

    The Importance of Staying Updated

    Does it feel like your Apple devices are always asking you to install operating system updates? You’re not wrong—from September 2022 to January 2024, we saw the following releases in Apple’s previous set of operating systems:
    • macOS 13 Ventura: 20 releases
    • iOS 16: 25 releases
    • iPadOS 16: 20 releases
    • watchOS 9: 15 release... Read more
  • February 15, 2024

    Use iOS 17.3’s Stolen Device Protection to Reduce Harm from iPhone Passcode Thefts

    Last year, a series of articles by Wall Street Journal reporters Joanna Stern and Nicole Nguyen highlighted a troubling form of crime targeting iPhone users. A thief would discover the victim’s iPhone passcode, swipe the iPhone, and run. With just the passcode, the thief could quickly change the victim’s Apple ID password, lock them out of their iCloud account, and use apps and data on the iPho... Read more
  • February 8, 2024

    After “Mother of All Breaches,” Update Passwords on Compromised Sites

    January’s big security news was the Mother of All Breaches, the release of a massive database containing 26 billion records built from previous breaches across numerous websites, including Adobe, Dropbox, LinkedIn, and Twitter. It’s unclear how much of... Read more
  • January 2, 2024

    Improve Your Digital Security in 2024 with These New Year’s Resolutions

    Happy New Year, and welcome to 2024! For many of us, starting a new year means reflecting on fresh habits we’d like to adopt. Although we support any resolutions you may have made to get enough sleep, eat better, exercise more, and reduce social media usage, allow us suggest a few more that will improve your digital security and reduce the chances that bad things will happen to you online.Read more
  • October 31, 2023

    Faster Copying of Two-Factor Authentication Codes from Messages

    One welcome feature of Safari is its automatic detection and auto-filling of SMS-based two-factor authentication codes you receive in Messages. It allows you to complete your login quickly, without having to retrieve the code from Messages. But what if you use a different Web browser, like Google Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or Arc? Apple doesn’t allow other developers access to those codes in Messa... Read more
  • October 26, 2023

    Stay Alert! Voice Phishing Used in Recent Ransomware Attacks

    All it took for MGM Resorts International to be compromised with ransomware was a quick phone call, which some now call “voice phishing” or “vishing.” An attacker using LinkedIn information to pose as an employee asked MGM’s help desk for a password change, after which they were able to install ransomware. MGM is now up to Read more
  • October 24, 2023

    Forget Your Just-Changed Passcode? iOS 17’s Passcode Reset Has Your Back

    The hardest time to remember your iPhone or iPad passcode is right after you’ve changed it. Generally speaking, there’s no reason to change your passcode, but if you inadvertently or intentionally shared it with someone with whom you wouldn’t trust your bank account information, changing it to something new is a good idea. We could also imagine a child who knows your passcode changing it on you... Read more
  • October 3, 2023

    Want to Password-Protect a PDF? Follow These Best Practices

    We periodically field questions about password-protecting a PDF to prevent the wrong people from reading it. Lawyers want to ensure that drafts of legal documents don’t fall into the wrong hands, financial advisers want to keep confidential financial information private, and authors want to prevent their writing from being shared broadly on the Internet. Others don’t worry so much about a docum... Read more
  • September 28, 2023

    What Should You Do about an Authentication Code You DIDN’T Request?

    We strongly encourage using two-factor authentication (2FA) or two-step verification (2SV) with online accounts whenever possible. The details vary slightly, but with either one, after you enter your password, you must enter an authentication code to complete the login. Although it’s always best to get such codes from an authentication app like Read more