Protecting your private email from prying eyes and intruders shouldn’t be that difficult. After all, Gmail, Yahoo and Microsoft all offer similar services in the form of account-level security; however, this kind of protection hasn’t yet made its way to Apple’s native email client, Mail. Until now! Today, we show you how to enable Mail Privacy Protection and keep your email safe from prying eyes.
What Is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security for your Apple ID designed to ensure that you’re the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password. Even if a malicious actor did manage to obtain your password, they would also need access to one of your devices in order to log in.
The strongest form of two-factor authentication uses an app like Authy or Google Authenticator which generates a constantly changing number based on what time it is. Each time you try to sign into your account, you’ll be prompted to enter this number as well as your password. If both numbers match up, then the login will succeed.
Why Should I Enable Two-Factor Authentication?
There are a few key reasons why you should enable two-factor authentication for your email account:
- Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access.
- If your password is compromised, two-factor authentication can help prevent someone from accessing your account.
- Enabling two-factor authentication can also deter phishing attempts, as it makes it more difficult for attackers to impersonate you. 4. With two-factor authentication enabled, if someone logs into your account without permission, they will not be able to send emails or change any settings in the account.
- Without this second layer of protection, your emails could be read by anyone with access to your device – even if they don’t know the password!
Adding an App Password for Two-Factor Authentication
If you want to add an extra layer of security to your email account, you can do so by enabling two-factor authentication. This will require you to enter a code that is sent to your phone whenever you try to log in. The app password for the two-factor authentication is only used once and then it disappears, but this will make sure no one else can access your information without knowing the App Password as well.
Once you’ve set up the App Password for Two-Factor Authentication, every time you login with your username and password, the app password will be required as well before granting access to the mail client on iOS devices.
How do I Disable Two-Factor Authentication?
Go to Settings > iCloud. Tap your Apple ID at the top, then tap Password & Security. Tap Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication. Enter your Apple ID password, then tap Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication. If you have a device that’s using two-factor authentication, you need to enter a verification code before you can turn it off. Otherwise, the option is grayed out. Once two-factor authentication is turned off, all of your messages will be protected with end-to-end encryption.
What if My iPhone Got Lost or Stolen?
If you’re worried about someone accessing your email if your iPhone gets lost or stolen, there’s a new privacy feature in iOS 15 that can help. With Mail Privacy Protection, your email contents are hidden from anyone who doesn’t have your passcode. They’ll only see the subject line of your emails, when they were sent, and the sender address. To turn on this protection for your email account:
- Open Settings
- Scroll down to Mail > Account Name > Passcode (enter passcode if prompted)
- Turn on Mail Privacy Protection
In Case of Emergency, Two-Factor Authentication Can Help Save Your Account
If you’ve ever lost your phone or had it stolen, you know the feeling of panic that comes with it. Not only do you lose a valuable piece of technology, but all of the sensitive data stored on it as well. Fortunately, there is a way to protect your email account from prying eyes, even if your phone falls into the wrong hands. With iOS 15, users can now set up two-factor authentication to help make sure their accounts are not compromised in the event of theft.
To enable this feature for your Apple ID, go to Settings > iCloud > Password & Security > Two-Factor Authentication and follow the instructions for setting up an additional method of authentication – typically through a text message code sent to your device each time you try logging in with your password alone.
