In case you’re not aware, it’s pretty shocking how much data your iPhone holds. If you’re not careful, there are risks to your personal information and a threat to your privacy. With the current legal issues between Apple and the FBI, securing user privacy is a hot topic today.

Your iPhone accumulates a big amount of metadata about you. These include contacts, locations, spending habits, chats, and search terms. Gathered separately, none of this data is threatening. But, when they are consolidated and cross-referenced, the output turns into quite a lucrative product.

But don’t fret. There are ways on how you can secure your privacy on your smartphone. Here are the top recommendations of experts and vendors who sell iPhones.

• Set up a secure password.

The application of the fingerprint reader on the iPhone 5s and newer models is a huge step to progress. But since there still is a passcode to back it up, the smartphone is only as secured as the password. Today, instead of the traditional four-digit PIN, you can choose an alphanumeric passcode, which is more difficult to hack.

To do this:

• Go to “Settings.”
• Tap “Touch ID & Passcode.”
• Type in your passcode.
• Tap “Change Passcode.”
• Type in your passcode once more.
• Tap “Passcode Options.”
• Choose “Custom Alphanumeric Code.”
• Key in a new password.  

• Take a look at your privacy settings.

To check your smartphone’s privacy settings, simply go to “Settings” and tap “Privacy.” Select and click each of the apps listed to see their privacy status. Chances are, you’ll be surprised at the level of access each app has, many of which are totally pointless or unnecessary.

To revoke their access, just move the slider. But remember there are some apps that require access to your data. For example, if you often use Google Maps, it can only work at its best if you give the app access to read your (and your contacts’) addresses. This way, it can help you easily navigate from point A to point B.

If you revoke an app’s access and later change your mind about it, it’s easy enough to move the slider back to revert the process.

• Use “Find My iPhone.”

Your iPhone has a valuable feature known as “Find My iPhone.” As the name suggests, it keeps track of your phone should you ever misplace or lose it. You can set your smartphone to generate a loud noise, which comes in handy if you’ve just misplaced it at home. If it’s lost, “Find My Phone” will track its location for you. If it’s stolen, you can also delete your personal data remotely.

To do this:

• Go to “Settings.”
• Tap “iCloud.”
• Choose “Find My iPhone.”

• Delete your personal data before selling your iPhone.

When you sell your iPhone, make sure to remove all the data BEFORE handing it to its new owner. To “Erase All Content and Settings” is to wipe out everything on your smartphone. So just do it once you’ve transferred all your data on your new phone.

To do this:

• Go to “Settings.”
• Click “General.”
• Choose “Reset.”
• Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”

Take the time to secure your iPhone. It’s something that will save you from a headache should something bad happen to your phone.