Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Other Do you consider entering the passcode in public places a security risk?

Populus

Populus

macrumors 603
Original poster
Aug 24, 2012
6,419
8,955
Spain, Europe
This is a question for both, iPad and iPhone.

I am looking forward to getting an iPhone 13, however, I wear a mask everyday on the classroom or the workplace or the commute. Yes, this is one of those threads, but I don’t want to start a Face ID vs Touch ID battle, please refrain from attacking other users’ preferences.

The fact is that, if I get a FaceID powered device, I will have to enter the passcode repeatedly each time I want to use my smartphone. I’ve already tried to scan my face with half a mask, and that doesn’t work with my iPad Pro. So I guess that won’t work with the iPhone 13 either.

Do you consider this a weak point on the security of your device? Do you think anyone can access your device after watching you introducing your passcode? What about CCTV and security cameras? I know I’m being a bit paranoid, but with Touch ID I don’t have any of this problems. Maybe I should skip the 13 mini and wait for the iPhone SE 2022?

Do you think we’ll get a third gen SE? Will it be worth it?

Thank you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pat96
  • It's not like you have to hold the phone up to the CCTV and type in slow motion.
  • If you get an Apple Watch, it can unlock the iPhone while you wear a mask.
  • Maybe get a used 2nd gen SE for cheap while waiting for a new touchID phone?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shirasaki, Populus and artfossil
You should be fine. What country are you from that you’re worried?!
 
I had to switch from using Touch ID to Face ID to unlock my phone during the pandemic. When I have a mask on, I miss having Touch ID. So here is how my habits have changed:
  • If I'm buying something, I use tap-to-pay credit cards, not Apple Pay. I'm not going to take off my mask inside a shop just to use Wallet.
  • When walking around outdoors, I'm not too worried about unlocking my phone using the passcode. I think there's more risk if you're stationary, say, sitting in a park with friends, because it is easier for your phone to be stolen if you're distracted or not constantly holding your phone. So I try to keep my phone out of sight as much as possible in public places.
Overall, I think the security risk is driven more by the likelihood of having your phone stolen than by the change in user authentication method. Sure, a hidden camera or a shoulder surfer might learn your passcode but that information is useless without physical access to your device. You can make it more difficult for somebody to casually pick up or guess your passcode by making it longer than the default 4 digits.

I'm personally more worried about the health risk caused by people dropping their masks indoors in order to use Face ID.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: toobravetosave, pianostar9, Shirasaki and 2 others
It's a possible risk. But a low risk.

If your'e worried. Tuck it in close to your body and use two hands for putting in your passcode. As there's a limited range of angles someone could see what you're entering.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HarryMudd and Populus
Thanks for your imput @KaliYoni it was really useful.

velocityg4 said:
It's a possible risk. But a low risk.

If your'e worried. Tuck it in close to your body and use two hands for putting in your passcode. As there's a limited range of angles someone could see what you're entering.
Click to expand...
Good tip, yeah. I’ll try to get used to putting my code using two hands. I use my smartphones one handed and I’m not used to it, but I think it’s worth trying.

I really want to get an iPhone 13 mini, but sometimes I think it could be a better idea to wait until spring to see if the 3rd gen SE is worth it. But I’m using an iPhone 8 and wanted an iPhone with the new design…
 
  • Like
Reactions: KaliYoni
Not sure why people dismiss it so easily but go grab your phone, put a post-it over FaceID and you’ll be surprised to see just how much access you have with only your easy-to-guess passcode.

With just a Passcode you can get FULL access to:
- Complete saved password list
- ApplePay pay using “Pay with Passcode” access
- Apple Card number
- Home Automation (Doors, Cameras, Alarms)
- Doors (Car, Hotel)
- Turn on “Share Location with…”
- Personal/Work Email
- Personal Photos / Documents
- VPN Access to office
- Phone (GPS/Text/Calls)
- Change Password access (to lock you out of AppleID)
- Change Passcode access (to lock you out of device)

People can dismiss this as paranoia and claim “corporate espionage”, “planting electronic evidence” or Blackmail are stuff that only happens in the movies. But I think we can all imagine the amount of non-spy info someone could obtain just from only 15 minutes of unrestricted access to your iPhone (or watch).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crystal21, Count Blah, pianostar9 and 2 others
BATman.Berlin said:
Use a Apple Watch to unlock your phone. You can also use the watch to pay with mask on.
Click to expand...

I don’t plan to purchase an Apple Watch and having one shouldn’t be a requisite to use an iPhone, same way you souldn’t need an iPhone to use an iPad or a mac.

Anyways, the thread purpose was to dig deeper in the possible security risks of constantly using the passcode instead of Face ID or Touch ID. I get that unless you l ose physical access to your device, you shouldn’t be worried right?
 
  • Like
Reactions: !!!, pianostar9 and Shirasaki
johannnn said:
  • It's not like you have to hold the phone up to the CCTV and type in slow motion.
  • If you get an Apple Watch, it can unlock the iPhone while you wear a mask.
  • Maybe get a used 2nd gen SE for cheap while waiting for a new touchID phone?
Click to expand...

At this rate you could very well end up dying of old age before we get Touch ID. Rumors say every year and yet we don’t have it.
 
  • Sad
  • Like
Reactions: !!!, dominiongamma, Shirasaki and 1 other person
KittyKatta said:
Not sure why people dismiss it so easily but go grab your phone, put a post-it over FaceID and you’ll be surprised to see just how much access you have with only your easy-to-guess passcode.

With just a Passcode you can get FULL access to:
- Complete saved password list
- ApplePay pay using “Pay with Passcode” access
- Apple Card number
- Home Automation (Doors, Cameras, Alarms)
- Doors (Car, Hotel)
- Turn on “Share Location with…”
- Personal/Work Email
- Personal Photos / Documents
- VPN Access to office
- Phone (GPS/Text/Calls)
- Change Password access (to lock you out of AppleID)
- Change Passcode access (to lock you out of device)

People can dismiss this as paranoia and claim “corporate espionage”, “planting electronic evidence” or Blackmail are stuff that only happens in the movies. But I think we can all imagine the amount of non-spy info someone could obtain just from only 15 minutes of unrestricted access to your iPhone (or watch).
Click to expand...

Paranoid much ? They would also have to steal your phone. Have enough self awareness and you’ll be fine. It’s been two years and idc. Also never got anything stolen. Heck I’ll give everybody my passcode right here if I didn’t think the post would be removed lol. You’ll still need to A) know who I am and B) where I am to get my phone.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: max2 and Shirasaki
Before Apple Watch unlock came about I was able to get Face ID to work without a hitch by pulling down my mask slightly. Surprised it doesn’t work at all for some of you.
 
Populus said:
I don’t plan to purchase an Apple Watch and having one shouldn’t be a requisite to use an iPhone, same way you souldn’t need an iPhone to use an iPad or a mac.

Anyways, the thread purpose was to dig deeper in the possible security risks of constantly using the passcode instead of Face ID or Touch ID. I get that unless you l ose physical access to your device, you shouldn’t be worried right?
Click to expand...

It’s the same way how you can use an Apple Watch to unlock a Mac . It’s just another option
 
Apple_Robert said:
I don't consider it a risk. I type it in so fast, it would be very difficult for someone to get the code right, provided they were able to steal my phone.
Click to expand...
I’ve ve been practicing to type it fast, but doing it close to my chest makes it a bit more difficult.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back