The iPhone has gained a reputation as a security-focused device thanks (in part) to Apple's iron grip on the ecosystem. However, no device is perfect when it comes to security. Of course, this could be a matter of legitimate concern, as you likely have all sorts of sensitive information on your iPhone, such as credit card or bank account details, personal photos, among other data. In this article, we will explain how likely an iPhone is to be hacked and if it is something you need to be concerned about.

Is it possible to hack an iPhone?

The answer is yes, it is certainly possible to hack an iPhone. Before you panic though, you should understand that a highly skilled hacker could break into most electronic devices if he has the time and determination to do so. Not necessarily your iPhone is at risk. That's because of all the cell phones on the market, iPhones and Apple products enjoy a reputation for being among the safest.

It is also worth mentioning that if you take the proper precautions, a hacker of average skill will probably not be able to break into your iPhone. A hacker will find it a very difficult task, and will prefer to go after easier prey, especially Android smartphones.

If one of the top ten hackers in the world was ready to break into your iPhone, you might have reason to be concerned. Realistically though, this is probably not something that is about to happen.

How can an iPhone be hacked?

Your iPhone has software, just like any other electronic device. This software undergoes rigorous testing, so when Apple launches a new version of iOS on the market, the chances of vulnerabilities are slim.

Still, you need to keep your smartphone up to date with the latest version of iOS, the universal operating system that Apple uses on its devices. By doing so, you will protect your device from any bugs or glitches that Apple has detected.

Jailbreak makes the iPhone susceptible to hackers

One of the most common ways iPhones can be hacked is if you've "jailbroken". Jailbreak is a change to the iPhone operating system that people use to be able to run non-Apple approved apps on the device.

By changing the device code, it gives you some flexibility in this area, but also opens you up to hacker attacks. A jailbroken iPhone is much more susceptible to a hacker.

Your iPhone cannot be used remotely

Apple does not allow anyone to remotely control an iPhone through remote access apps like TeamViewer. While macOS ships a VNC (Virtual Network Computing) server installed that allows your Mac to be remotely controlled if you enable it, iOS does not.

That means you can't control someone's iPhone without jailbreaking. There are VNC servers available for jailbroken iPhones that allow this functionality, but if the iOS system has not been modified, this is impossible.

iOS uses a robust permissions system to grant apps explicit access to certain services and information. When you install a new app, you are often asked to grant permission for location services or the iOS camera. Apps literally cannot access this information without your explicit permission.

There is no permission level available on iOS that grants full system access. The software is sealed from the rest of the system in a secure "sandbox" environment. This prevents potentially harmful apps from affecting the system, including limiting access to personal information and app data.

You should always be careful about the permissions you give an app. For example, an app like Facebook wants access to your contacts, but doesn't require it to work. Once you grant access to this information, the app can do whatever it wants with that data, including uploading it to a private server and storing it forever. This might violate Apple and the App Store developer agreement, but it's still technically possible for an app to do so.

While it's normal to be concerned about attacks on your device from nefarious sources, you're probably more at risk of giving your personal information to a "secure" app that simply asked politely. Review iPhone app permissions routinely, and always think twice before agreeing to an app's requirements.

Apple ID and iCloud Security

Your Apple ID (which is your iCloud account) is probably more susceptible to outside interference than your iPhone. You must first use two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Apple ID.

To make sure 2FA is enabled, go to the Settings Menu > click [Your Name] > Password & Security on your iPhone. Tap "Enable Two-Factor Authentication" to set it up.

In the future, whenever you log into your Apple ID or iCloud account, you will need to enter a code sent to your device or phone number. This prevents someone from logging into your account, even if they know your password.

However, even 2FA is susceptible to social engineering attacks. Social engineering has been used to transfer a phone number from one SIM to another. This could hand a would-be hacker the final piece of the puzzle for his entire online life, if the criminal already has your email password.

This is not an attempt to scare you or make you paranoid. However, anything can be hacked if given enough time and ingenuity. You shouldn't be overly concerned about these things, but be aware of the risks and remain vigilant.

May have spy software on iPhone?

One of the closest things to a hack to affect iPhone owners is so-called spy software. These apps take advantage of paranoia and fear, inviting people to install monitoring software on devices. These are marketed to concerned parents and suspicious spouses as a way to keep track of someone else's iPhone activity.

These apps cannot work on iOS, so they require the device to be jailbroken first. This opens up the iPhone to more manipulation, wide-open security issues, and potential app compatibility issues as certain apps will not work on jailbroken devices.

After the device is jailbroken, and the monitoring service is installed, people can spy on individual devices from web control panels. That person will see every text message sent, details of all calls made and received, and even new photos or videos taken with the camera.

Wi-Fi may still be vulnerable

Regardless of which device you are using, unsprung wireless networks still pose one of the biggest threats to mobile device security. Hackers can (and do) attacks to set up fake and insecure wireless networks in order to capture traffic.

By analyzing this traffic, a hacker may be able to see the information you are sending and receiving. If this information is not encrypted, you could be exposing passwords, login credentials, and other sensitive information.

Be smart and avoid using public and unknown Wi-Fi networks. For the best peace of mind, encrypt your iPhone traffic with a VPN.