Phishing Alert: Here's how to safeguard your iPhone against online fraud

Threat actors are using social engineering techniques to hoodwink naive Apple device users to voluntarily reveal their passwords and other personal details.

Thanks to the robust screening process, Apple devices are well protected against hacking, and malware-laced apps entering the App Store.

However, threat actors are coming up with new nefarious ways to breach the security. They are using social engineering techniques to hoodwink naive Apple device users to voluntarily reveal their passwords and other personal details.

Whenever Apple sees any illegal attempts to breach an iPhone, it automatically sends a warning to affected users about the threat through email, messages and iCloud accounts. And, now hackers are sending similar warnings to random users to their email inboxes and asking them to reveal their account details to fix security issues.

The email comes with this message -- "Your Apple ID has been suspended due to unusual activity or missing or invalid information. It will also include a blue button that reads “Go to Apple ID”. The email ID looks similar to Apple's official ID, but it never is.

Most users fearing threats to their devices and personal information being misused, readily share the details and end up paying a big price.

Apple has asked device owners to be very careful about such emails and texts on the iMessage app.

Here are some valuable tips to safeguard yourself from phishing:

1) Never share personal data or security information like passwords or security codes via email or SMS. Apple never asks for this information to provide support.

2) Learn how to identify legitimate Apple emails about your App Store or iTunes Store purchases. The content in the emails and messages will always have grammatical mistakes.

3) Don't follow links or open or save attachments in suspicious or unsolicited messages. A link in a message may look right, but the URL will not match the company’s website.

4) Don't answer suspicious phone calls or messages claiming to be from Apple. Instead, contact Apple directly through their official support channels.

5) Sometimes, scammers will ask you to disable security features like two-factor authentication or Stolen Device Protection. Never entertain such requests.

6) Never download software from sources shared through URL links from unknown users. Directly go to the Apple App Store and install the app.

7) Also, while browsing the web, if you see any pop-up or alert that offers you a free prize or warns you about security problems or viruses on your device, don't believe it.

8) It is a good practice to use two-factor authentication. This will always keep your contact information secure.

9) Whenever Apple rolls out software updates, immediately upgrade your device to the latest firmware.

10) If you receive a suspicious email that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, please forward it to [e-mail].

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