Apple to Implement App-Specific Passwords for iCloud

Apple will have another form of protection for iCloud accounts and the company is scheduled to implement app specific password for third party programs to the cloud service. The company has offered a two-step verification of iCloud users with limited extra barrier in gaining access to the account where the change was initiated due to the celebrity photo leaks which occurred recently.

This unpleasant incident urged Apple to secure users iCloud accounts with both two-step verification as well as app specific passwords. The change for the need of app-specific passwords was put inplace recently.

For those who are unfamiliar with this concept, the app-specific passwords are used when app or service intending to sign into, does not support two-step verification. Instead of compelling to enter the account password, the user can create a single use app-specific password and eliminate any potential for account to be compromised.

Examples of when an app-specific password would be needed, is at the time of signing into iCloud account in Outlook with the help of email app on Android device or a third party calendar app.

Use Label/Name Easy to Identify App/Device

To create a certain password, the user needs to visit the My Apple ID website and opt for `Manage your Apple ID’ and thereafter sign into the iCloud account. Next the user can click on the `Password and Security’, option towards the left area of the page.

Towards the bottom of the security option, the user will come across a new section titled `Generate an app-specific password’, wherein the user can click on the link in order to create a specific password. When prompted to give the password a label or a name, the same should be used which would be easy to identify the app as well as the device on which it will be used.

For instance, if the app has been set up on new Moto X, the app’s name could be followed by `Moto X’, which would be easy to identify which app it is set on as well as the device. When the label has been saved, a password is presented which should be entered exactly as presented, inclusive of any dashes etc.; making note that it is case-sensitive.

Set Passcode Lock for Added Security

Once the first app-specific password is created, a `History’ link appears in the section used to create the password and on clicking on it, will provide a list of passwords, represented by the label name entered at the time of creating one as well as the date it was created.

Cancelling a password will sign the user out of the iCloud account on the respective device on which the password was used. The iCloud password is intended to protect the privacy of the information that is stored in iCloud as well as the ability to locate or remotely erase the device using `Find My iPhone’.

It is essential to change iCloud password regularly in order to protect private information. If iCloud is set up in iPhone, iPad or iPod, users should ensure to set up a passcode lock on the device for added security by following these options:Settings>General>Passcode Lock.