A vital warning has been issued to iPhone users. If you fail to follow the key piece of advice, it can leave you at risk of worrying consequences further down the line
iPhone users have been issued an alert about the dangers of hacking and have been told to check their settings. Tech guru Scott Polderman recently shared some crucial advice online, believing it’s essential for people to be aware.
He urged people to alter certain settings on their mobile phones, as they could be at a higher risk of being hacked. Even if you believe you’re secure and follow all the necessary rules to protect your data, hackers employ cunning tactics, and your phone settings can significantly influence their ability to access your personal information.
Scott implored people to make these setting changes immediately in an effort to safeguard their data. It’s not the first time Apple users have been advised to tweak their iPhone settings to enhance their personal safety.
In a TikTok video, he warned: “If you have an iPhone, you need to change these two settings right now. Hackers have found a way to access your information through these two settings, and unfortunately they’re on by default, and they know it.”
He then explained what to do, adding: “Tap on ‘Settings’, from here tap on ‘WiFi’, and I want you to scroll down and ‘Ask to Join Networks’, and make sure this is turned off. This is the initial step that allows them to access your information.”
Scott went on: “But, wait, you’re not protected yet. You need to change this setting as well. Tap on ‘Settings’, tap on ‘General’. From here, tap on ‘Airplay and Continuity’, and this is the second step that allows them to access your phone.
“They get in through a public network, and then they get into ‘Airplay’ so, from here, tap right here, and I would turn this to either ‘Ask’ or ‘Never’. If you use it on a regular basis, put it on ‘Ask’.
“For me, I’m putting it on ‘Never’. This will help protect your phone from being attacked on a public network.”
Since the clip was posted, it’s racked up more than 80,000 views, with hundreds of users commenting as well. Viewers were stunned they hadn’t realised how crucial the straightforward setting adjustment is.
What’s more, preventing automatic network connections can also help preserve your mobile’s battery life. This means there are numerous advantages to heeding Scott’s straightforward advice.
One viewer commented: “Great tips and good to know. Thanks for sharing.” Another wrote: “Mine were both on. Thanks for sharing.”
A third responded: “Why would ‘Ask to Join’ be bad for WiFi? That doesn’t make sense to me.”
Scott answered: “Great question. Joining public networks is now a huge risk. ‘Ask’ is ok, but then your phone is searching for WiFi networks and wasting battery life. I find it best to turn it on if I need it.”
Someone else also remarked: “Yes, mine were both on. I just turned it off. Thank you so much.”
Another also chimed in, saying: “Thank you, Scott. I appreciate you taking the time to share the information.”