Apple is well-known for setting high standards for privacy of its users and data security, but iPhones aren’t immune to hackers. It’s possible for criminals to access sensitive information through the many iPhone applications that collect it on a daily basis — such as browsing history, personal photographs or locations, as well as passwords.
You can secure your iPhone from malware by using a secure password that you can remember and don’t write down anywhere (you should already be doing this). The ability to turn off notifications on your lock screen will protect you from unauthorized access to your private information without unlocking the phone.
If you’d like to take it a step farther, you can use the Screen Time feature to create a custom alphanumeric passcode, or deactivate access to your 4-digit numeric passcode. This will make it more difficult for burglars to brute force your passcode. You can also activate the feature to erase all data stored on your iPhone after 10 unsuccessful passcode attempts, which will render your device inaccessible to thieves — but it may be useless to users if they are unable access your iCloud photos or other content.
Consider installing a trusted mobile security application like Clario. It can alert you to sites that are malicious as well as protect your personal information from stealing on Instagram and social media blocking annoying ads and potentially harmful ones, increase your security by using a VPN and much more.