Criteria for improving your privacy on mobile devices

by James · December 6, 2022

In the past, outdated personal computers were the only way to connect to the Internet. But today, mobile devices are used for such tasks as they are more convenient than thick PCs. Although laptops and desktops have several anti-malware software to keep them safe, mobile devices do not have such a level of security. In this article, we will discuss the guidelines to increase your privacy on your mobile devices.

In no particular order, the following are criteria you must follow to improve smartphone and tablet privacy:

Table of Contents

1. Go through the device settings

To ensure your mobile device secures your data, check your settings. As you go through the settings, you can see the devices that have permission to access your data. In addition to that, turn off all unwanted services and block several apps from accessing the microphone and camera, except if it is important to keep them connected.

2. Select encrypted social apps

Some communication application platforms are encrypted, making it difficult for cybercriminals to access them. Such social media platforms are usually more protected than their counterparts. Some of the encrypted messaging services include Whatsapp, Snapchat, Signal, Telegram and so on.

3. Use a virtual private network

Using a virtual private network to improve your privacy is one of the best ways to keep your mobile device encrypted. You can find a number of free downloadable versions compatible with your mobile device online. With the use of these private networks, smartphone and tablet users can surf the internet knowing that their data is safe and secure.

4. Use more customized unlocking procedures

Using a more personal unlocking process will erase any possibility of your phone being hacked or stolen. This can be achieved by making the unlocking procedure for the smartphone or tablet more complex for hackers. For example, fingerprint or facial recognition can be set as the unlocking process for mobile devices to increase the level of security.

5. Use password managers

In modern times, passwords are used for multiple tasks and are required to be extra complex, which can make users forget them easily. Use password managers to keep your password safely stored and avoid getting banned from your respective accounts.

6. Opt out of data brokers to minimize spam

As a mobile device user, you may be no stranger to unwanted text messages and emails. While some of them may be harmless spam, others may be expressly designed to obtain sensitive information or infect your device with malware. The reason you may receive so many spam and suspicious messages is that your personal information is in the hands of unwanted third parties.

These entities, known as “data” or “information brokers,” specialize in collecting your data and trading it for profit. Your data is then used for targeted advertising, risk reduction and other dubious purposes. Fortunately, it is possible to manually opt out of the largest brokers on the web, such as Verisk, Acxiom LLC, Epsilon and Oracle Data. Alternatively, automated data removal services can pull sensitive information from a variety of brokers, improving your protection against spam and cybercrime.

7. Final thoughts

By following the aforementioned criteria to increase users’ privacy on mobile devices, users can surf the internet safely without being hacked. You can check your mobile device settings, subscribe to an information removal service or use password managers.