Apple enforces user data security with new updates

Apple Enforces User Data Security with New Updates

Apple has “you control your data" for a while now, but with these new updates, the data is almost completely the consumers’.

  • By Kaitlyn DeHaven
  • Jun 06, 2019

Apple announced eight security updates involving the Apple Watch, Apple maps and location, voice control, and more that will significantly increase the average Apple user’s security. The opening keynote speaker at Monday’s Worldwide Developer Conference showed how these new features will directly influence Apple users, giving them security that Apple competitors like Google and Facebook can't offer.

In addition to the new watchOS health features for the Apple Watch, Apple emphasized that all data the watch collects will stay on the device or in the user’s control. Beside the watch, the data can either be stored on the user’s iPhone or in iCloud, which ensures that the user controls their own privacy.

The second update involved location, as in iOS 13 users will be able to share their location with an app “just once” instead of “only while using the app,” “always," or "never." If an app keeps tracking the user’s location without their knowledge, iOS will notify them. Moreover, apps won’t be able to use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to guess the user’s location as they have been able to previously.

The sign-in process will look a bit different with iOS13 as well. Now, users will be able to sign into apps without sharing any of their personal information. If the user wishes, they can even hide their email address from the app. If the app needs to send an email to the user, Apple will generate a random address for each app, and that address will forward to the user’s email. If the user is finished receiving emails from the app, they can easily disable the email address for that app.

The five last security updates involve the Mac, HomeKit security, and Find My. After HomeKit security acquires video footage, it will encrypt it before sending it to iCloud. This ensures that Apple or anyone else can’t view the footage. Find My iPhone and Find My Friends will be consolidated into one app, called Find My. Within this app, a user now can find devices even if they are offline. Voice Control, the Activation Lock, and macOS security will all be available on Macs soon as well. Voice processing will not be sent to the cloud, activation lock will allow you to protect your data by locking down your computer after it has been stolen, and macOS security requires Mac apps to gain permission to access files on your computer. Furthermore, the user will be notified before any app monitors keyboard activity or captures a photo or video on their screen.

About the Author

Kaitlyn DeHaven is the Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3