5 ways to protect your iPhone from getting hacked

There's a mysterious device that allows police to access your iPhone.

The I-Team's Jim Otte investigates this new way to hack into your phone, and what it means to your privacy Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 5:30 p.m. on News Center 7.

Keeping your identity protected is more important than ever as technology evolves. If you have an iPhone, there are a few things you can do to prevent your device from being hacked. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Safety apps There are several apps that will help identify fraudulent or suspicious activity on your iPhone. Some of the apps include Avira Vault, ProtonMail and Lookout.

2. Update iOS Having outdated software makes it easier for hackers to access your phone. Make sure to have the most recent version of iOS on your iPhone, which ensures that any Apple glitches are remedied on your phone.

RELATED: How hackers say they’ve outsmarted iPhone X’s Face ID

3. Password, Touch and Face ID Creating a longer password adds to the safety of your phone. Apple allows you to create a custom Alphanumeric code, which includes numbers, letters and symbols. Adding Touch or Face ID also decreases your chances of being hacked.

4. Activate "Find my iPhone" If you lose your iPhone, you can log onto the Find My iPhone and wipe your personal data with it. To remotely wipe your iPhone, just log in to the Find My iPhone app and tap "Erase iPhone."

5. Avoid suspicious links Do not click on unknown links via text, email or random sites that pop up in a browser. It's a fairly common scam that can allow hackers to gain access to your email and other personal information.