IPhone Photo Backup: Don’t Lose Your Photos

Here’s a breakdown of​ the key information from the provided text, focusing on the warnings and advice related‌ to online security, particularly around Black Friday and photo security:

1. Black Friday ‍Warning ⁣from Google:

* ⁣ Google is warning consumers to be cautious about ‌which websites they shop on during‌ Black Friday.The article linked (from Forbes) details which sites to avoid.

2. Rising Phone Theft ‌& Data Value:

* Phone ⁤theft ⁢is a ‌major issue, and it’s not⁣ just about the device itself. The data on the phone (especially photos) is valuable to ⁢thieves.
* While Apple and Google have security measures, photos often‌ bypass these ⁢protections.

3. Photo-Targeted Malware (sparkkitty):

* Kaspersky ⁤discovered malware called “SparkKitty” ⁢that targets both iPhones and Android devices.
* This malware scans photo albums for sensitive information like cryptocurrency wallet recovery phrases and passwords using Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

4.The Sensitivity of Photo ⁤Albums:

* Photo albums can ‌contain highly sensitive information, comparable to more⁤ securely locked apps.
* ⁤ The risk is increasing⁣ due to‌ AI attacks that use photos and videos for personalized targeting.

5.iOS 18 Security Feature:

* Apple’s iOS‍ 18 introduces a⁢ feature ⁢allowing users to secure their Photos app (and other apps) with a lock, providing a defense against unauthorized access.

In essence, the article warns about the increased risks of online shopping during Black Friday⁢ and ‌highlights the vulnerability of personal photos stored ⁣on smartphones,‌ urging⁣ users to take steps to protect their data.