Lock It Down: How to Make Your Phone More Private & Secure
FACT: Your phone knows more about you than your best friend does – what you search, where you go, who you talk to, when you sleep, all the existential questions you’re asking Siri at 3am…
If left on factory settings, this “BFF” is really a surveillance device for companies greedy for your data – as well as opportunistic cybercriminals.
This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about understanding how your phone works and taking back control of your digital life.
Let’s dive into how you can lock down your data & why it’s important to actually DO IT!
What Settings Should I Adjust on My Phone to Increase Privacy?
APPLE | iPhone
#1 Limit Ad Tracking
Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → Turn off “Allow Apps to Request to Track”
This stops apps from even asking to track your activity (Apple Support).
#2 Turn Off Location Services (Except When Needed)
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Set apps to “While Using” or “Never”
Constant location tracking feeds detailed movement profiles.
#3 Enable App Privacy Report
Settings → Privacy & Security → App Privacy Report
This shows which apps access your sensors, camera, and mic.
#4 Safari Privacy Settings
Settings → Safari
-
- Enable Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
- Enable Hide IP Address from Trackers
- Turn off Preload Top Hit
Prevent websites & trackers from seeing & sharing your browsing data.
#5 Remove Location from Photos
Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Camera → Set to “Never”
Stops your photos from embedding location metadata.
#6 Turn Off Auto-Join Public Wi-Fi
Settings → Wi-Fi → Auto-Join Hotspot → Off
Prevents your phone from automatically connecting to untrusted public networks, reducing the risk of Wi-Fi attacks.
ANDROID
#1 Limit Ad Personalization
Settings → Privacy → Ads → Delete advertising ID
This reduces cross-app tracking (Google Help).
#2 App Permissions
Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager
Review which apps can access location, microphone, and camera. Set most to “While Using” or “Deny.”
#3 Turn Off Location History
Settings → Location → Location History → Off
Prevents long-term location tracking by Google Maps.
#4 Use Chrome Incognito & Safe Browsing
Keeps browsing history and tracking to a minimum (Google Chrome Safety).
#5 Turn Off Auto-Connect to Open Wi-Fi Networks
Settings → Network & Internet → Internet → Wi-Fi Preferences
Disable automatic connection to open or public networks to avoid man-in-the-middle attacks.
High-Level Privacy Tips for Other Apps & Devices
- Smart devices & assistants: Turn off always-on microphones and voice recordings where possible (like Alexa and Google Assistant).
- Social media apps: Limit activity status, disable location tracking, and review ad preferences.
- Cloud services: Disable automatic contact and photo syncing unless necessary.
- QR codes & links: Scan only from trusted sources, and preview links before opening (FTC).
- Learn more about avoiding QR Code Phishing & other common phone scams HERE!
Why Aren’t These Settings On By Default?
Simple: Data = Dollars!
Companies profit from knowing your habits, locations, and preferences. Default settings are designed to:
- Collect more data for ad targeting and analytics
- Feed behavioral profiles for marketing and pricing
- Encourage convenience over security
- For example – Settings like auto-join Wi‑Fi & auto-sync contacts
Cyber Security isn’t top priority for some folks out there, but it definitely is for us!
Free apps aren’t really free – you generally end up paying with your data.
Why Is It Important to Adjust Factory Settings?
Behavioral tracking & data brokerage
Companies aggregate your app, browsing, and location activity into a Data Profile that can be sold to advertisers or data brokers (Robots.net). They analyze your habits – like when you shop, where you drive, what time you’re active online – to sort you into categories that affect what you see and how you’re treated online (Norton.com | What are Data Brokers?).
Cybersecurity risks
Automatically connecting to Public Wi‑Fi and fake hotspots can expose unprotected data, leading to account theft if captured by the wrong people (NY Post).
Targeted scams & phishing
Your information is sold and resold, often without your consent, to advertisers, government agencies, and sometimes directly to cybercriminals (Robots.net). Access to detailed profiles allow cybercriminals to personalize attacks to have the best chance of catching their target unaware.
Click HERE to learn how to spot common Phishing attempts to better protect yourself!
What even is a “Data Profile”?
A DATA PROFILE is a digital collection of data built from publicly available information as well as data gathered from your online activity, including:
- Location history
- App usage and browsing activity
- Purchases and search history
- Social activity (contacts, likes, comments)
It’s used for:
- Ultra-targeted advertising (Forbes)
- Behavioral profiling & predictive targeting
- Data Resale to advertisers and brokers (us.Norton.com)
The scarier part? Most people don’t even know it’s happening! Data Brokers are profiting off information collected for FREE without real benefit to the end user, talk about a scam…
Norton.com: What Are Data Brokers | October 19, 2023.
Homework assignment: switch those settings!
Adjusting your device settings is like locking the front door to your digital house, a security measure everyone should put in place to help protect their information – not just reserved for those wearing tinfoil hats!
Taking a few moments to make some simple adjustments can help:
- Reduces your risk of scams and data leaks
- Keep advertisers and apps from profiting off your info
- Give you control over your online footprint
Take 10 minutes today to adjust these settings & lock down your data.
Your data is valuable. Your peace of mind is priceless!