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Image of screenlock with a pattern unlock option - less secure than other types

Smartphone or tablet security – iPhone, Android or iPad

Posted on 20 October 20221 November 2023 By JuliaEEvans No Comments on Smartphone or tablet security – iPhone, Android or iPad

Do you use the same PIN or passcode for more than 1 device in your household?

This is a very, very risky thing to do – as a family client of mine recently found out.

Image of a smartphone's lock screen, using a Pattern unlock which is less secure than a password in keeping data private
Note that using a pattern is easier to ‘crack’ than a password

The parent had for years used a simple 6-digit code to unlock 3 devices during the time when they were all their own … so simply didn’t think that others in the family would access any of them.

So when the parent passed 1 device to his child ‘as is’ – guess what was being giving away?

Their very OWN iPhone screenlock passcode!

When the parent also allowed his child to use their HP laptop ‘as is’ – they could:-

  • Pick up the parent’s phone when not in use and view and edit anything (until the parent returned)
  • Use the laptop’s browser to log onto websites using the parent’s logon details* for sites like Apple.com …. and appear to be them, making any changes or deletions desired!

This is why I wrote the post about why it is NOT a good idea to save passwords in your browser at https://pcgp.biz/password-security-and-your-browser.

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Internet, Mobile devices, Online, Security, Smartphones Tags:android, apple, browser, child, household, ipad, iphone, logon, parent, passcode, password, pattern, pin, risk, security, smartphone

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