1) Lock down account recovery & passwords
Change weak passwords and enable a password manager. Then turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for email, banking, and any account that stores personal data.
Is SMS 2FA enough ?
SMS is better than nothing but vulnerable to SIM-swaps. Use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) or hardware key (YubiKey) for high-value accounts.
Example: Move from Password123 → unique password in 1Password + 2FA on Gmail and your bank.
2) Audit app permissions (phone & tablet)
Open Settings → Privacy/Permissions and check which apps have access to: Location, Camera, Microphone, Photos and Contacts. Revoke anything non-essential.
Many flashlight or wallpaper apps request microphone/camera access for no reason — that’s a red flag. If an app needs location only while in use, choose “While Using the App,” not “Always.”
Also Read - Alarm bells rising in the U.S.: 2025 has seen nearly 950,000 job cuts — what it means
3) Turn off ad tracking & personalized ads
On iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → toggle off.
On Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization.
On major platforms (Facebook/Meta, YouTube), find Ad Preferences and disable interest-based ads.
Will I see fewer relevant ads?
Possibly — but you’ll also stop being profiled across apps for targeted ad auctions.
4) Harden your browser
- Use a privacy-first browser (Brave, Firefox) or enable “Enhanced Tracking Protection.”
- Turn on “Send ‘Do Not Track’” (though not all sites honor it).
- Clear cookies regularly and enable blocking of third-party cookies.
- Use a privacy extension for ad and tracker blocking (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger).
Example: Open Chrome → Settings → Cookies → Block third-party cookies; or use Firefox with strict mode.
5) Secure cloud backups and sharing
Check Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox sharing links — remove public links for personal folders and audit apps with access to your cloud storage.
Is automatic photo backup safe?
The backup itself is convenient; ensure only trusted devices are connected and that backups are encrypted (enable End-to-End Backup if your provider supports it).
6) Smart-home & IoT permissions
Change default admin passwords on routers and smart devices. Disable remote access where not needed and check device accounts (camera/NVR, thermostat) for shared users.
Tip: Place security cameras on separate VLAN or guest network to isolate them from your primary devices.
Also Read - Everyday AI: From Smart Thermostats to Agentic Browsers
7) Email & message safety settings
Enable confidential mode where available, disable auto-forwarding for sensitive accounts, and set spam filters to aggressive (adjust if false positives rise).
How do I stop phishing?
Never click links in unexpected emails. Hover to preview links, enable Gmail’s phishing protections, and use a password manager to detect fake login pages.
8) Social media privacy check
Lock old posts, set your profile visibility to “Friends” or “Private,” remove location metadata from photos, and periodically audit third-party apps connected to your account.
Example: Instagram → Settings → Privacy → Account Privacy → toggle to Private; also turn off “Add Location” for uploads.
9) Location history & device tracking
Turn off unnecessary location history (Google Maps Timeline, Apple Significant Locations). If you use Find My devices, ensure only your trusted devices are registered.
Will turning off location break apps?
Some services (ride-hailing, maps) need location to function — set them to “While Using” rather than “Always.”
10) Legal & data rights (where available)
Under GDPR/CPRA-type laws you can request data export or deletion. Check account settings for “Download your data” or submit a data-deletion request if you don’t use a service anymore.
Follow for more such useful content
Also Read - Top 10 Emerging Technologies in 2025: Transforming the Future
No comments:
Post a Comment