Last Updated on 10/09/2024 by Arun jain
We’ve all got tons of sensitive information on our phones — texts with loved ones, Banking detailsPasswords and family photos.
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You don’t want anyone snooping around, whether it’s an app developer on the other side of the world or the person sitting behind you at the coffee shop. Take five minutes to run this privacy audit, and then give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.
Check your permissions
When you Download appsThey often request different permissions to access different parts of your phone — think your location, camera, microphone, contacts, and text messages. Some apps are required to function properly (like navigation apps need access to your location) but others are completely unnecessary.
The most important permissions to pay attention to are your phone’s location, camera, and microphone. Only trust apps with a clear, legitimate need for these permissions.
Also use your common sense. Ask yourself: Does a shopping app really need access to my contacts? Should photo editing apps know my current location? For me, the answer is no. Granting unnecessary permissions increases your privacy exposure, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.
To check what permissions each app has:
- Apple iPhone: go to settings > Privacy and Securitythen Location Services, Camera Or microphone.
- Google Pixel: open up settings > Security and Privacy > Privacy Controls > Permission Manager.
- Samsung Galaxy: Head for settings > Security and Privacy > Permission Manager.
You may also have given permissions to apps on your computer, which you have forgotten about. Here’s how to check it out while you’re at it.
Close everything
Your lock screen is the first line of defense against unwanted eyes. You can use PIN, pattern, fingerprint, face recognition, whatever. No matter which method you choose, it’s better than leaving your phone unprotected.
If you’re using a PIN, avoid anything obvious like 1234, your birthday or address, or the last digits of your phone number.
- Apple iPhone: Set this by Face ID and passcode.
- Google Pixel: Head for settings > Security and Privacy > Device lock.
- Samsung Galaxy: under settingslook for Lock screen and AOD.
You want to lock your phone as soon as possible when you’re not using it. I think about 30 seconds is the sweet spot between safety and annoyance.
- Apple iPhone: under settingschoose Performance and brightness > Auto-lock.
- Google Pixel: Head for settings > Display and touch > Screen timeout.
- Samsung Galaxy: From your settings, tap Display > Screen Timeout.
Keep strangers away
Short-range transfer tech built into iOS And Android It is very handy when you need to share something with a friend or relative. But you don’t want strangers pinging you with unwanted photos, videos and other files.
This happened to me once at the airport. In my case, it was just teenagers teasing me with silly pictures, but this could have been a lot worse.
- Apple iPhone: Your device uses AirDrop for this type of transfer. Limit it to contacts only or turn it off completely settings > General > Airdrop.
- Android devices: The transfer tool here is called Quick Share (formerly Near Share). On the Pixel, you’ll find the sharing preferences below settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Quick share. On the Galaxy, it’s down settings > Connected devices > Quick share.
Browse the web
Open your phone’s browser and say hello to instant tracking, unless you do something about it.
- Open and set these limits on your iPhone settings > apps and tap Safari. Under the app’s settings, scroll to Privacy and Security and toggle continued option for Prevent cross-site tracking.
- For chrome On Android, open a browser and tap three points (top right). From there, hit settings > Privacy and Security > Third-party cookies and turn on Block third-party cookies.
It wasn’t so bad, was it? Now, solidify your loved ones and pass it along so they too can be safe. Yes, that includes teenagers too!
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