An Apple representative told CNN in a statement, “We sympathize with people who have had this experience, and we take all attacks on our users very seriously, no matter how rare.”

“We constantly look into new protections against emerging threats like this one and work tirelessly every day to protect our users’ accounts and data.”

Apple cautions on its website that “you’re responsible for maintaining access to your recovery key and your trusted devices.” You risk having your account permanently locked out if you misplace either of these items.

According to Jeff Pollard, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, the business needs to provide “ways for Apple users to authenticate so they can reset these settings” in addition to additional customer service choices.

There are a few actions people can take, nevertheless, to perhaps guard against this happening to them.

Keep the passcode secure.

Safeguarding the passcode is the first step.

According to an Apple representative who talked with CNN, users can prevent anyone who might be monitored from learning their passcode by unlocking their phone in public using Face ID or Touch ID.

An extended alphanumeric passcode that is more difficult for hackers to decipher can also be configured by users. In addition, users of the device should update the passcode right away if they think someone else may have seen it.