Apple has cjanged its identification procedure to give users of iCloud, iTunes and App Store users extra protection from hackers. The feature, which is initially being rolled out as an option in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, will mean that when an Apple customer signs into their account, as well as providing their Apple ID password, they will have to enter a unique code in order to prove they really are the account holder. The unique code is sent via SMS to the user's registered mobile phone or can be sent via the Find My Phone app.

The system will replace the current system that prompts users to answer security questions when logging in from an unfamiliar IP address or when claiming to have lost their passwords.

Google has also employed a similar system on its Gmail accounts for a number of years.