Congratulations on your shiny new phone! However, before you dive headfirst into the world of apps, messages, and endless scrolling, let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked yet extremely important: phone privacy.
Your digital footprint is like your virtual identity – and since we’re living in the age of data leaks and online tracking, safeguarding your personal information is not just a good idea, it’s a necessity.
So, before you embark on this exciting journey with your new phone, let’s ensure it’s equipped with the digital equivalent of sturdy locks and vigilant guards. Here are the five simple yet powerful ways to enhance your smartphone privacy.
1. Set up strong passcodes and biometrics
Did you know that over 80% of all hacking-related data breaches are linked to weak passwords?
If you don’t want to be part of that statistic, it is crucial to set unique passcodes and passwords for your phone and online accounts. For a smartphone, a passcode serves as a secret handshake. So, avoid using easy-to-guess numbers like “1234” or “password.” Instead, mix it up with letters, numbers, and symbols.
Moreover, if your new phone supports it, enable biometrics like fingerprint recognition or Face ID. These add an extra layer of digital security, making it even trickier for prying eyes to get in.
- For Android: Go to “Settings” and click on “Lock screen” to set the PIN. Next, tap on “Biometrics and security” to set up facial recognition and fingerprints.
- For iPhone: Go to “Settings” and tap on “FaceID and passcode” to upgrade your phone privacy.
2. Review privacy controls and permissions
New phones usually come with a bunch of apps pre-installed for your convenience. Therefore, it is vital for you to review the app permissions on your new smartphone as soon as you turn it on for the first time. It is important to understand that some apps, no matter how innocent they look, might have access to your sensitive information – including your location and contacts.
Checking the privacy settings on an Android phone or iPhone will only take a few moments but have a huge impact on your online privacy.
- For Android: Go to “Settings” on your phone and click on “Privacy” in the main menu. Then tap “Permission Manager” to find out which apps have access to your camera, microphone, and location data.
- For iPhone: Go to “Settings” on your device and tap on “Privacy and Security.” Now, enable or disable certain apps from accessing your personal information.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is like having an extra lock on your front door. Even if someone guesses your password, they’d still need a special code that’s sent to your phone. In addition, according to the latest statistics, this dual authentication system can block nearly 100% of automated bots, 96% of phishing attacks, and 76% of targeted attacks.
So, if you are setting up email and social media accounts on your new device, don’t think twice before turning on 2FA – it’s like a secret code word only you and your phone know. Depending on the platform and device, you may also be able to turn on multi-factor authentication.
Read more: Locked out of MFA? Here’s how to regain control of your account
Install a trusted VPN
If you want to learn how to protect your privacy on smartphones, downloading a reliable VPN app is the way to go. PureVPN is an ideal solution for those seeking to enhance their online privacy and smartphone security. It has a network of over 6,500 servers in 70+ countries, allowing you to browse seamlessly without worrying about any regional restrictions.
Using a VPN on your phone will not only shield your IP address from hackers but also keep your internet activities private from your ISP and third parties. In addition, PureVPN is a no-log VPN, which means the company does not track or record your IP addresses, connection timestamps, and browsing history.
You can click here to learn more:
Turn on auto-update for software and apps
Even if your new phone has the latest version of the operating system, it is still recommended to enable auto-updates for your software and apps. It is crucial for maintaining the security, performance, and functionality of your device.
These updates might seem frustrating at times, but they ensure your new phone receives the latest bug fixes, security patches, and new features as they are released. Moreover, doing so protects your system from potential vulnerabilities while enhancing the overall user experience and phone privacy.
- For Android: Go to “Settings” on your phone and tap on “Software Updates” to enable automatic updates.
- For iPhone: Go to “Settings” and click on “General.” Next, tap “Software Update” and select “Automatic Updates.”
To wrap it up
For those concerned about their smartphone privacy, these five steps are like a digital security blanket that will protect you from unauthorized parties. These tips are simple, effective, and go a long way in keeping your personal information safe and sound.
Stay connected to PureVPN Blog to learn more about how to safeguard your online privacy in the digital age.