For years, Apple has been betting on the to maximise security and your enjoyment. y privacy of its users, and one of the most notable measures is the possibility of making backup copies in iCloud and encryption end-to-end through the measures included within iCloud's advanced protection system. This protection system ensures that only the account owner can access their data, without even Apple having the ability to decrypt it. If you are concerned about the security of your information in the cloud, Here we explain everything about this feature and how you can activate it..
What is end-to-end encryption in iCloud?
El end-to-end encryption is a technique that protects data in transit and at rest, ensuring that only devices authorized by the user can access the information. This technology is already used in messaging applications such as WhatsApp, but in iCloud it is an option that must be activated manually. Apple has introduced the Advanced Data Protection, a feature that applies this encryption to a wide range of files and backups.
When this option is enabled, data is encrypted on your device before it is uploaded to the cloud, and can only be decrypted on your trusted devices. Without this type of encryption, Apple maintains the keys needed to decrypt your information, making it easier to recover if you lose access to your account. However, it also means that in the event of a filtration data, there is a possibility that third parties may access the files. With Advanced Data Protection, Apple waives this access, leaving exclusive control in the hands of the user.
Apple ranks the protección data in iCloud at three levels:
- Data always encrypted end-to-end: These include passwords, health information, Apple Card data, Safari history, messages in iCloud, and more.
- Data encrypted only when Advanced Data Protection is enabled: This includes iCloud backups, notes, photos, iCloud Drive, and reminders.
- Data not protected by this encryption: Some services such as Mail, Contacts and Calendar are not included in end-to-end protection because they must interact with other mail and calendar systems.
Requirements for activating Advanced Data Protection
To enable this option, it is necessary to meet certain requirements:
- Have the activated two factor authentication in your Apple ID.
- Set up a recovery method, which can be a recovery contact (a friend or family member with an Apple device) or a recovery key of 28 characters that only you should know.
- Having a compatible device with the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
How to turn on end-to-end encryption in iCloud
If you meet the above requirements, you can activate Advanced Data Protection by following these steps:
- Open the application Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Tap your name to access settings. iCloud.
- Select option Advanced Data Protection.
- Follow the instructions to set up a recovery method (contact or recovery key).
- Activate the option and confirm the changes.
Once activated, most of your data in iCloud will be protected with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that no one else can access them.
Precautions when enabling Advanced Data Protection
While this feature improves the security of your data, it also has some important considerations:
- If you lose access to your Apple account without having set up a recovery method, you will not be able to recover your data.
- Not all Apple devices support this feature, so you'll need to make sure they're all up to date.
- If you choose to disable this option in the future, the encryption keys will return to Apple's servers and the account will return to the standard data protection.
If you are a person who prioritizes privacy and to maximise security and your enjoyment. of your data, this option is highly recommended. It prevents Apple, hackers or any other entity from accessing your information, ensuring that only you have control. However, it is essential that you manage your recovery method correctly, since in the event of loss of access, there will be no way to recover the protected data.
The arrival of this function reinforces Apple's commitment to the privacy of its users, and puts iCloud on par with other cloud storage solutions like Proton Drive, which have been committed to end-to-end encryption from the start.
Enabling end-to-end encryption in iCloud is one of the best ways to protect your personal information from unauthorized access. By following the steps outlined, you can ensure that your backup and other cloud data can only be accessed by you and your trusted devices. It's important to evaluate this option and decide if it's the right security solution for you.
