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Can you disable lost mode on the device with the AppleID password? If not, that's a serious oversight by Apple.
 
If your AppleID is breached, wouldn't the way Apple implements 2-step authentication be an issue too? Wouldn't iMessage. that is used for receiving the code, also be vulnerable? After all, they are part of the same eco system.
iMessage is not used to receive the codes. They are pushed to a specific device using APNS.
Just curious. I use it myself but it seems like an authenticator code would be more secure.
I'd like support for offline code generators as well.
I believe Apple has 2-step verification only, not 2-factor.
They have both, actually.
 
The smart thing to do would not have your eggs in one basket. Someone using idevices, android and Windows depending on the platforms strengths is going to be less impacted than someone who has all thier devices and devices linked to one appleid. This is a disadvantage of the walled garden.

Actually this never used to be any issue even for apple, until apple forced appleid onto all of us, now it's integral to operation of the hardware/services.

You make it sound as if Apple is the only company with a single ID sign in. What about the ubiquitous, "Log in via Facebook" option that so many games and apps have? And what about all-things-Google (Gmail, YouTube, Chromecast, etc.), requiring a single Google account ID? Aren't those equally, if not more, concerning than Apple ID?

And don't get me started on the whole social media scene, where people feel the need to share every bit of their personal lives with the whole world, and then complain about lack of security after some hacker read on Twitter that the name of their first pet was "Cuddles" and manged to steal every penny from the person's bank account.

When people gripe about complexity, companies respond by making things easier. It's Customer Satisfaction 101. So if you feel the need to blame someone for a single ID making your personal data easier to steal, blame society as a whole, because we seem to be getting dumber and lazier with each passing generation.
 
Apple is responsible for third party security breaches? Really now.

I've got an idea! Let's start reading articles instead of making baseless comments after glancing at a headline. Deal?

You give "some" people on the internet too much credit but agreed lol

This sort of thing makes me wonder why companies have not latched on more vigorously to things like touchID. I can not just impersonate that over the phone in a far off land. I have to get into your secure enclave or have your physical phone. This is the direction everything needs to go.

The most accurate and truest comment on the thread ( at least on in the 1st 2 pages :p )
 
Go ahead erase my Angry Birds apps.
Why would anybody keep important data on their iPhones without backing them up?
Now, if they hacked dropbox, I'd have a problem.
Um did you read the article. Its about ransomware. Not deleting your apps or important data.

It's amazing to me how many people don't do this.
OK so Help me understand. If I have this on and lose my device, how can I log into iCloud and find my phone to locate the device? Case and point, my son passed and his "friends" stole his devices. I was able to get into his iCloud acct and lock them AND find them since I did have access to his email and was able to reset his appleID. How would one accomplish this if 2-factor was on since logging into iCloud requires an auth code?
Also there is an option to call the phone with the code so again, you loose your device and someone hacks your account and tells the 2-factor to call u with the code. They answer the phone call (no touchID or unlock required) and get the code, login to iCloud and remove the lock on the device. I played with it some today and cant wrap my head around the inconvenience vs the potential issues it can cause. Seems your main phone# is automatically on and you can add additional so if you add additional # does that take the place of the main one?

Doesn't help against this ransom scam, since you can access "find my iphone" on icloud.com without entering a security code (Apple probably did this in case you lose your only trusted device, which would make it impossible to receive a security code).
No, 2-factor does make you enter the code to even login to iCloud.com. Hence my question above. Other question is my Windows PC with iCloud is listed as a trusted device but can't seem to get any code there so yeah what if you do only have 1 apple device, what then?
 
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You give "some" people on the internet too much credit but agreed lol



The most accurate and truest comment on the thread ( at least on in the 1st 2 pages :p )


These companies with there constant hacks and constant data breaches need to be forced to move to methods that leave them in a position that makes them not liable. I just found out my local burger chain here has been compromised. So joy now my credit card is once again in the "wild" why cause they refuse to take contactless payment. Why IDK cause it cost them a bit more to setup or cause they are trying to track my habits or like Wal-Mart trying to avoid paying credit card fees. Guess what it is going to cost you way more now that you have had a confined data breach of every customer you had. If it was scrambled one time use card number backed by touch ID I would just be like oh well i am safe.

I know i slid into a rant about not taking apple pay but it is just so glaring that apple pay was made not just to make apple money but to solve a very real issue.

The added bonus is it also secures phones or could secure your laptop or insert what every token based security you would like to use. I can not think a few but it is the ways i can't that will change the world i am sure.

So companies get with it. Scrub your data if you want me to swipe my card or embrace tech that was designed to protect your customers and your self from being sued.
 
That second one about security questions is really bothersome to me.....it seems 3/4 of the time when you select questions from a preset list that they are normally questions that would be easy for someone to dig up info on if they wanted to badly enough.
Nobody said you had to use real answers, just ones you can remember. Your mom's maiden name could be Tuesday, your best friend in school Jobo, etc. put your answers in an app like 1password and your good to go.
 
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Apple has on file all the data like MAC addresses etc for each device owned by the user. A simple start, No access to AppleId from any device except those registered. Like two-factor without all the hassles. Then add additional lyers for other access if needed. Not perfect but maybe a good place to start.

First, MAC addresses don't leave the local network so they are unavailable on Apple's end of the TCP/IP traffic.

Secondly, iOS devices randomize MAC addresses continually as a security measure.

Lastly, MAC addresses are trivial to spoof.

I always hoped that most users understand that many, many, extremely smart people work tirelessly on how to improve upon these types of technology challenges. However, I'm proven wrong over and over again. Apple has many layers of great security in place to protect it's users (arguably the best device security on the planet). Unfortunately, it continues to be the case that users can subvert even the best tech and are their own worst enemies.

I'll return to the original topic to end my rant. This isn't about a problem with Apple's security implementation. This is a problem with users reusing account credentials on several services, not using available security features, and then complaining when it comes back to bite them in the ***.
 
I had someone trying to hack into my iCloud account for the first time the other day. IDK how far they got, but my account was locked. I had two-step turned on, which probably helped. I changed my password just in case and then learned how to setup two-factor authentication, which is supposed to be a little better than two-step because it uses a six digit code and I think it won't even let them start trying codes until you approve from your device (also shows a map) and then it generates the key. Interesting to note, however, that it showed my Apple TV being hundreds of miles away in Chicago, IL when I re-authenticated it to get my Schlage Sense deadbolt to connect to it for remote HomeKit access.

Does anyone know what would cause an iPhone to never receive security codes? They come through fine in texts and in device codes sent to my iPad and Macs, but device codes never come through to my iPhone. It didn't work with two-step, and it still doesn't work with two-factor. I had even mentioned it in passing to Apple support (I was working through an iCloud data sync glitch with photos in Notes that used a ton of LTE data a few weeks ago) and they couldn't ever figure out why I wasn't getting them. It seems to have started a few months back at some point between February-April.

This happened to one of my parents out of the nowhere yesterday. Account was locked, but (the original) 2-factor authentication was on so whoever attempted to get in didn't get far. Obviously we unlocked the account and changed the password. At least this explains that, I guess. Really glad 2-FA did it's job here.
 
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Most people aren't even aware two step verification exists.

In some cases, not even two step can protect you.

Youtuber Boogie2988 had his accounts hacked because someone stole his phone number thanks to Verizon.
 
You make it sound as if Apple is the only company with a single ID sign in. What about the ubiquitous, "Log in via Facebook" option that so many games and apps have? And what about all-things-Google (Gmail, YouTube, Chromecast, etc.), requiring a single Google account ID? Aren't those equally, if not more, concerning than Apple ID?

And don't get me started on the whole social media scene, where people feel the need to share every bit of their personal lives with the whole world, and then complain about lack of security after some hacker read on Twitter that the name of their first pet was "Cuddles" and manged to steal every penny from the person's bank account.

When people gripe about complexity, companies respond by making things easier. It's Customer Satisfaction 101. So if you feel the need to blame someone for a single ID making your personal data easier to steal, blame society as a whole, because we seem to be getting dumber and lazier with each passing generation.

Not at all. Every company is pushing single sign on, and a common I'd that links everything . Microsoft , Google are no better etc

I much prefer the pros but you need to consider the cons .

Society includes tech. And i blame the inherent laziness in development these days, where the attitude , close enough is good enough, release it and fix the bugs later . I've seen a major shift in the last 20 years.
 
No, 2-factor does make you enter the code to even login to iCloud.com. Hence my question above. Other question is my Windows PC with iCloud is listed as a trusted device but can't seem to get any code there so yeah what if you do only have 1 apple device, what then?

The best thing to do in this case is to have another family member or trusted friends phone number included as one of your options to receive the code. You can choose which device gets the code at the login screen. I don't know why your PC is not able to receive the code - that's a separate issue.

However, if you do receive one of these ransom demands (because your account was hacked and you were not using 2FA) - I would suggest you immediately shut down the device(s) to stop them being erased and then get in touch with Apple and explain the situation. Hopefully they will be able to help you recover the account, after they make sure it's really you.

Finally, everyone should use a password manager and then use very strong and unique passwords for everything. I use 1Password on my desktop and mobile.
 
Some years back (during Jobs) my iTunes account got hacked because i used the same password on other sites, luckily they only bought some chinese apps and Apple restored everything.

Lesson learned
 
First, MAC addresses don't leave the local network so they are unavailable on Apple's end of the TCP/IP traffic.

Secondly, iOS devices randomize MAC addresses continually as a security measure.

Lastly, MAC addresses are trivial to spoof.

I always hoped that most users understand that many, many, extremely smart people work tirelessly on how to improve upon these types of technology challenges. However, I'm proven wrong over and over again. Apple has many layers of great security in place to protect it's users (arguably the best device security on the planet). Unfortunately, it continues to be the case that users can subvert even the best tech and are their own worst enemies.

I'll return to the original topic to end my rant. This isn't about a problem with Apple's security implementation. This is a problem with users reusing account credentials on several services, not using available security features, and then complaining when it comes back to bite them in the ***.

Agree with what you say about users. MAC address was not the best choice for my example. Say Apple helps the users out buy checking device ID the same as they do when upgrading software. How do you think they know what a trusted device is? Agree Apple does a good job with our security compared to others. Apple places themselves above the pack by making products easy and transparent to use. Nice if they were able to do more for security, was my point. Not well articulated, however.
 
Apple is responsible for third party security breaches? Really now.

I've got an idea! Let's start reading articles instead of making baseless comments after glancing at a headline. Deal?
But the fact is 99% people just judge article contents by just glancing at article title since they are often concise and short.
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As your AppleID/iCloud/iTunes becomes more integral to using iThings then good security with your ID becomes more important.

Use a different (and long) pword than any other account for your AppleID, make sure your security questions can't be answered by looking stuff up on the internet or intelligent guessing and enable 2 factor authentication.
I have upgraded my Apple ID password so that it is about 25 characters long and contains random characters.
My security question answers are also just random strings. No way they can use any sort of search methods to find the answer.
But 2FA is a bit dangerous if I want to test beta software. Having password alone is good in this case. There are bugs in early beta preventing 2FA working properly.
 
No, 2-factor does make you enter the code to even login to iCloud.com. Hence my question above.
Nope. After logging in with the password, you'll find a "Find my iPhone" button below the list of trusted devices. If a bad guy has the password, they can simply go there and locate or lock your devices without needing a security code.
 
Nope. After logging in with the password, you'll find a "Find my iPhone" button below the list of trusted devices. If a bad guy has the password, they can simply go there and locate or lock your devices without needing a security code.
It depends on how you setup your login to icloud.com. When you first login after setting up 2FA, it will ask you for a verification code. After entering that code it will ask if you want to remember this browser as a trusted login for the iCloud.com account. If you tell it to remember the browser, then the next time you login you will not be asked for a verification code. But if you do not tell it to remember the browser, you will be asked for a verification code each time.

If you have said to trust the browser and you want to revoke that, you can sign out and uncheck this box to revoke.

Screen Shot 2016-07-09 at 9.09.19 AM.png
 
It depends on how you setup your login to icloud.com. When you first login after setting up 2FA, it will ask you for a verification code. After entering that code it will ask if you want to remember this browser as a trusted login for the iCloud.com account.
No. Here's the login screen after logging in using an untrusted browser. Note the buttons at the bottom:

OYy7I5l.jpg
 
No. Here's the login screen after logging in using an untrusted browser. Note the buttons at the bottom:

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying. You said that screen is after logging in. My point is you cannot login to an untrusted browser to see that screen unless you enter the verification code that was sent to a trusted device.

I just tried to login with an untrusted browser and I get this. So without access to the trusted device to receive the code you would never be able to get to the screen you showed.

Edit: Note that you are using two-step authentication and not two-factor which is new with iOS9 and El Capitan. Two different things.

Screen Shot 2016-07-09 at 10.33.39 AM.png
 
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I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying. You said that screen is after logging in. My point is you cannot login to an untrusted browser to see that screen unless you enter the verification code that was sent to a trusted device.
No, I fully understand what you are saying. My point still stands but ...
Edit: Note that you are using two-step authentication and not two-factor which is new with iOS9 and El Capitan. Two different things.
This is apparently the key. 2-step verification behaves like I described above (i.e. you can use "find my iphone" without having a verification code), the new 2-factor authentication apparently works differently. I am still on 2-step because I like being able to restore access using the recovery key in case I lose all trusted devices, whereas with 2-factor you have to go through a lengthy process with Apple support. But I'm reconsidering this now due to the safer icloud.com login ...
 
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