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Extra Secure iPhone 6 Plus

M

McDaddio

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 6, 2014
726
64
I realized that if I was ever robbed of my phone and killed, the perp could use my fingers to unlock the phone and get all my data. The dilemma is that I like the convenience of the fingerprint unlock and I didn't want to stop using it.

Here is my solution:
1. Set the phone to delete all data after 10 attempts.
2. Don't use the thumb, you have 10 fingers (hence the genius of Apple setting the number of attempts to 10!!)
3. For the finger you do use, set it at a different angle, so even if they guess the right finger, they have to also guess the correct angle.

Voila! A more secure phone.
 
Perhaps your worrying a little too much.

You could jail break and add extra security that way and use a tweak that requires a passcode to open apps in your iPhone.

Or turn off Touch ID and use the PassCode only.
 
McDaddio said:
3. For the finger you do use, set it at a different angle, so even if they guess the right finger, they have to also guess the correct angle.
Click to expand...

As someone else already pointed out, angle doesn't matter. Try using the fingerprint scanner with your phone upside down.

If you're really that worried about security, use a long password and don't enable TouchID.
 
If I am already dead then they can have the phone and whatever stupid crap is on it...I hope they enjoy 1800 photos of my dog :p
 
McDaddio said:
I realized that if I was ever robbed of my phone and killed, the perp could use my fingers to unlock the phone and get all my data.
Click to expand...

If being robbed, killed, and having your dead fingers used to unlock the contents of your iPhone is a very likely possibility for you, then owning an iPhone is the least of your worries right now.

Address the issues that make your life that dangerous, OR the issues that make you think it's that dangerous. Then, worry about whether you want an iPhone.

----------
McDaddio said:
Here is my solution:
1. Set the phone to delete all data after 10 attempts.
2. Don't use the thumb, you have 10 fingers (hence the genius of Apple setting the number of attempts to 10!!)
Click to expand...

Actually, with TouchID, you have five attempts before TouchID shuts down and you're required to use a passcode to unlock.

3. For the finger you do use, set it at a different angle, so even if they guess the right finger, they have to also guess the correct angle.

Voila! A more secure phone.
Click to expand...

As many have demonstrated (and as your point out) TouchID has its flaws and is imperfect. But, TouchID was not meant to be perfect.

For the most part, TouchID was meant to make a phone more secure for the less-worried crowd, who feel that even a 4-digit PIN is too much hassle to deal with when trying to use their phones. The rationale being that something, anything, is better than nothing. For these people, it's thought that if you present them with something really simple (a single touch of the finger on the home button) to authenticate instead of a passcode, they'll be motivated more to lock their phones and make them a little bit more secure.

Even for payments: Having a device that requires a fingerprint to authorize payments is a lot more secure than pulling out a piece of plastic, with the payment details clearly printed on the face, for all to see.

If, on the other hand, you're super paranoid, or super-targeted by people who want your state secrets, then Touch ID is not for you. To be honest, most smartphones wouldn't be for you. The Boeing Black smartphone might be more your speed.
 
Last edited:
Don't use a finger. Use another body part like toe, nose, nipple or other appendage. :)

Your data is safe! Even though you may not be so well off..... :eek:
 
Would be cool if you could set a multiple fingerprint code, and it had to be the fingers in the exact order you set.
 
cymolia said:
The thief can have my data, identity, debt and everything else he wants. I could care less since i dont need any of that in heaven :p
Click to expand...
But your loved ones left behind here on Earth may care especially if something on your phone would give the thief access to your financial accounts that would also be left behind here on Earth and your loved ones may want that money.
 
You could try shutting the phone off in a bad situation so they are forced to use a passcode once it's powered back on. ...But that also means you are prioritizing the data on your phone over your life by choosing not to call 911 or something. Never mind. Bad call. Just don't use Touch ID if you're that worried.
 
JulesJam said:
But your loved ones left behind here on Earth may care especially if something on your phone would give the thief access to your financial accounts that would also be left behind here on Earth and your loved ones may want that money.
Click to expand...

Most bank/financial apps require you to input the password in order to gain access to those apps, even once unlocked. It's not like you can access everything once unlocked and even if that happens, you're protected against unauthorized withdrawal of money.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
Most bank/financial apps require you to input the password in order to gain access to those apps, even once unlocked. It's not like you can access everything once unlocked and even if that happens, you're protected against unauthorized withdrawal of money.
Click to expand...
But if you access from your browser, you can save passwords and some apps may allow it.

If there is nothing worth stealing on your phone, then why passcode protect it anyhow? I don't want the rest of the world to access to the information on my phone even if I were dead. Because when you die, there are people left behind and some of them need to stay out of my business even if I am dead, lol!
 
JulesJam said:
But if you access from your browser, you can save passwords and some apps may allow it.

If there is nothing worth stealing on your phone, then why passcode protect it anyhow? I don't want the rest of the world to access to the information on my phone even if I were dead. Because when you die, there are people left behind and some of them need to stay out of my business even if I am dead, lol!
Click to expand...

I'm sure a lot of people password protect their phone for other reasons than data being stolen. I password lock mine so if the physical device was stolen, they couldn't wipe it straight away, or so people who I'm with can't access it willy nilly and send texts/emails to whomever they want. Data on the phone, while obviously I wouldn't want everyone to have access to it, there's nothing really important there. It's definitely not the main reason I passcode lock my phone.
 
Any digital data that is so critical that it must be secured even after death should not be stored on your phone, or any other Internet-connected device.
 
let someone be your find my friend buddy

that way he can find your phone without you giving anybody your iCloud password

find my iPhone will tell you where your iPhone is on a map
find my Friend will tell you where your iPhone is on a map and also give you the street address
 
JulesJam said:
But if you access from your browser, you can save passwords and some apps may allow it.

If there is nothing worth stealing on your phone, then why passcode protect it anyhow? I don't want the rest of the world to access to the information on my phone even if I were dead. Because when you die, there are people left behind and some of them need to stay out of my business even if I am dead, lol!
Click to expand...

Not everyone passcode-protects their phones for the same reason. I didn't use a passcode before TouchID became available but now use TouchID because it's faster than slide to unlock. Some passcode-protect mainly to prevent snooping by colleagues, family members, etc.
 
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