iphone security

Question

iphone security

Hello,

On a recent trip to Spain my iphone 6 was lost or stolen. I had activated find my phone service and since the phone was out of my possession it has not been online. I have set up the erase function on icloud as I want to delete my data as soon as I can. I have contacted my UK mobile provider who has blocked the SIM and the handset.

The phone has a fairly strong passcode and will be icloud locked. I reported the loss/theft to the local police.

I have a few questions. Firstly can someone circumvent my passcode and access my data and apps without going online? This seems to be possible according to some internet sites ? secondly can the phone be unlocked through the IMEI? i have seen on some web sites that they offer an unlocking service even if the phone is reported as stolen - how do they do this? finally, some web sites offer a kind of icloud deactivation service by providing the contact details for the original owner. The claim to do this because they have access to apple's database. I would be grateful for any thoughts or reflections.

thanks,

iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iOS 9.1

Posted on Oct 19, 2016 8:58 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 19, 2016 10:39 AM in response to anotherprovided

1. In theory, if they guess your screen lock passcode, then can access the device without going online. But as long as your passcode is not easily guessed, that is extremely unlikely as their number of guesses will quickly lock them out with a disabled device.

2. No, the IMEI cannot be used in any way to gain access to the device contents. It has nothing to do with actually accessing the device, and there is no mechanism to remotely gain access the device at all.

3. If Apple's activation lock database had been compromised it would be on every mainstream news source on the planet as that would mean that their iCloud database itself was compromised so would involve far more than just activation lock. I do not believe such rumors for one second. Any rip-off artists can claim they have access to any data if it helps them scam money from trusting or desperate device users looking to use a device they purchased only to find its useless to them. There has not been a single reported means of hacking or bypassing Apple's activation lock.

People taking money claiming they can hack activation lock is a common scam that started up likely the same day Apple first went live with activation lock.

You have done everything correctly to ensure your device is useless to anyone via activation lock, and that your data is secured by use of a strong device passcode. Do not believe the internet rumor mangers and doom Sayers, and do not fall for any email or text phishing scams that may come your way claiming to need your confidential information to return your magically "found" iPhone.

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Answer 2

Oct 19, 2016 9:21 AM in response to anotherprovided

Dear Michael,

Thanks very much for your prompt and reassuring answer. I thought myself that some of the claims sounded too good to be true but I am not always up to date on developments. I was very sceptical about the claims to have access to apples database.

best wishes,

brendan

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