Experts warn default WiFi setting is putting your iPhone at serious risk
There's a chance that you've got this default WiFi setting enabled on your iPhone, as experts urge Apple fans to turn it off as you leave yourself at risk to hackers and cybercriminals.
You have to be ultra careful with almost every part of your favorite gadgets these days, as while phones have never been more secure, hackers have come up with so many different ways to trick unwitting individuals.
Something as simple as a USB charging cable could leave your phone exposed, and any QR code that you see out in the wild could be a fake waiting to scam whoever has the misfortune to scan it with their device.
One of the most dangerous security risks inside your iPhone is enabled as a default setting though, and experts have urged people to turn it off to avoid any issues down the line.
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What default WiFi setting should you disable?
As reported by the Daily Mail, countless tech experts have warned iPhone users to disable the 'Auto-Join' WiFi feature as soon as possible, because it could leave your personal information, bank details, and data exposed to hackers.
To do this, you'll want to head to the Settings menu on your iPhone, then the WiFi section, and finally you'll want to scroll down to find 'Auto-Join Hotspot'.
You'll be given three different options to choose from: Never, Ask to Join, or Automatic.
If you've not ventured into this part of the settings before it will likely be set to 'Automatic', which will mean that you'll connect to any open WiFi hotspot signals while out and about so long as you have your device's WiFi turned on.
Experts suggest that you should either set it to 'Ask to Join' or 'Never' - with the latter being the safest option. Having 'Ask to Join' enabled will prompt you before connecting to any open network, and will require you to activate it yourself before it connects.
Some have even argued that the safest thing you can do is simply disable WiFi altogether when you're outside the house, as having it on in any capacity still leaves you at risk of a cyberattack.
Why is Auto-Join WiFi dangerous?
While you might think that automatically joining any open WiFi network will help you retain signal in moments when your phone network goes down, it makes it far easier for hackers to infiltrate your device and access any data you have stored there.
Cybercriminals can utilize what's called a Key Reinstallation Attack (KRACK) to manipulate your device through a WiFi connection's encryption keys, allowing them to create a secure connection to your phone and steal data so long as they're in close range.
They will typically rename their hotspot to something that lines up with the location that you're in - such as the name of a cafe or public transport - making it seem as if nothing was out of place and relying on anyone connecting to be none the wiser.
Outside of accessing data via proximity-based KRACK attacks, hackers can also use WiFi connections to install malware on your device, which allows them to maintain control and access beyond the point at which you leave the location and disconnect from the WiFi.