In today’s digital age, our phones are basically extensions of ourselves. We use them to communicate, stay organized, and access all kinds of information. However, these devices also contain everything there is to know about us, which makes it all the more important to protect our privacy.
Despite being common knowledge, people are not concerned about their privacy. This is not to be taken lightly, and our article will cover the best steps to take in order to keep the situation under your control. So, if you’re looking to take control of your privacy and keep your personal data available to the world according to your preferences, you should continue reading.
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Use a Passcode or Biometric Authentication
One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your privacy is to put a lock on your smart devices, making it close to impossible for unwanted people to access them. This may seem obvious, but there is actually a huge percentage of people in the smart age that don’t do it. All modern smartphones are now equipped with facial or fingerprint recognition, allowing for better security than ever before.
Although a pin or a complex password is a great choice and is better than nothing, getting into your phone that way can take too much time. Well, that is where biometric authentication steps in.
Although it does make logging into your phone more convenient, that is not its main purpose. It is even more secure, as it relies on unique physical characteristics that are nearly impossible to replicate. They do have drawbacks like some systems being fooled by simple pictures, but biometric security is far superior and a must-have too.
Be Wary of What You Share on Social Media
There is no denying that social media has many positive aspects. It allows you to connect with friends and family and brings the world to your fingertips. But it also poses a huge risk due to it knowing too much about you. Everything you post on social media—from photos to status updates and even what posts you like—can and are used to build a virtual profile of you.
These profiles contain everything: your preferences, places you like to visit, and much more. All of this information should not be accessible, but it is, and it can then be used for targeted advertising or even identity theft. The latter can happen if these social media apps have database leaks, which is much more common than one might think.
There are a few steps people need to take to make sure that too much of their identity is not present online:
- The first step is to be conscious of what you share. Don’t post anything that has the potential to make your personal information accessible to the world. From videos that give a glimpse of your home to pictures of your email interactions, you are giving your private details away.
- Another important step is to review your privacy settings on each social media platform you use. Most platforms offer you control over them that allows you to choose who can see your posts, photos, and personal information. Take the time to assess these settings and modify them to your liking.
- Finally, consider using a separate email address or phone number for your social media accounts so that your personal information is not easily linked to your online activity.
While people usually don’t like doing these things by hand due to the many steps they have to take to safely explore the world, they are important in ensuring only the people you have chosen get to know the real you.
Keep Your Phone & Apps Updated
Keeping your devices and applications up to date is like taking care of your car. You wouldn’t drive it without changing its oil, right? Similarly, updates are crucial for maintaining your privacy and security. They often contain important security patches that fix bugs that are commonly utilized by hackers or spammers to gain access to sensitive information.
Although security is one of the major reasons for updates, it is not the only one. Updating your phone is also about keeping up with the newest features and improvements. App updates, for example, may include new privacy features that can help protect your information even better.
So, make sure to check for updates at least once a month and install them as soon as you get a notification for them. You can usually find updates in the Settings menu of your phone, under “System Updates” or a similar option. And don’t forget to update your apps as well by going into your respective app stores! By doing so, you’ll ensure that your phone stays secure, and you’ll also get to enjoy the latest features.
The best thing about these updates is that they are non-intrusive. What this means is that your workflow won’t be affected by them. Apps update in the background, and software updates give you the option to install overnight.
The most important things that you need to update are:
- Your social media apps. New updates are regularly released.
- Your banking app. You really don’t want to skip out on getting vulnerabilities patched.
- Even fitness apps, which have information about your age, your appetite, and your weight. The information can be used for personalized advertisements.
Avoid Scam Calls
This might seem like the most basic thing to do, but scam calls have gotten extremely creative nowadays. Scammers can pose as anything and ask you some personal questions that might seem harmless, but that will help them create a profile of you.
Phones nowadays warn users that a number is from a suspicious caller. You may pick up the phone, as it could be a false trigger. But make sure to be as discreet as possible. By doing this, the person or the company on the other side will also know that you are of no use to them.
If you don’t even want to risk picking up the phone, you could extract the necessary information about the number on PhoneHistory to know exactly who is calling. The phone number history and even the caller’s location can be provided by this service.
Conclusion
As our lives become more intertwined with technology, it’s crucial to prioritize our digital privacy. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help safeguard your personal information and keep your phone secure. Remember, your phone is a gateway to your entire digital life, so taking these simple steps can make all the difference in protecting yourself from potential cyber threats. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay safe.