5 mobile privacy terms that must be known to protect yourself

Your smartphone can be your closest partner, track your steps, save your passwords and remember your favorite food. But how much do you know about how it protects (or exposes) your privacy?

We are breaking down five key mobile privacy terms that could make a difference when it comes to maintaining their safe personal information. Whether it is the iPhone or Android team, understanding these concepts can help you take control of your fingerprint, directly from the palm of your hand.

Are attentive for more In this series As we deepen the technological terms related to privacy and other essential concepts, answering the main questions we receive from readers such as you.

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1. Location monitoring

The GPS of your phone is not just for instructions

Every time you verify the weather, it label its location on Instagram or ask Google Maps for the fastest route, you are sharing its whereabouts. That is thanks to Location monitoring, A feature integrated in most applications and devices used GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cell towers to identify its location.

Here is the capture: many applications track you even when you are not using them. Some use these data to serve local content or advertisements, while others collect them and sell them to third parties.

How to protect yourself:

• Verify which applications have location access in your configuration
• Change “always” to “while using the application”
• Consider deactivating location services completely when you don’t need them

Knowing when and how they track you is the first step to stop it.

More: Top 20 applications that track you every day

2. Application permits

What your applications know about you (and maybe they shouldn’t)

Before being able to use that new photo editor or budget tool, he probably requested some things: access to his camera, contacts, microphone, maybe even his calendar. These are called Application permitsand determine with which parts of your phone an application can interact.

What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

While some requests are necessary (for example, a video application needs access to the camera), others may be excessive or even suspicious. For example, why does a flashlight application need its location or call records?

Tips for maintaining control:

• Check permissions when installing applications
• Regularly audit your application configuration
• Delete applications no longer use

Your data should not be the price of convenience. Establish limits.

More: did ‘yes’ say the application permission for your Google account?

Top 20 applications that track you every day

3. Two factors (2FA) authentication

A second lock at its main digital door

Passwords are not perfect. That’s where two factors authentication (2FA) Enter. Add an additional protection layer to require two forms of identification before giving access to your account, generally something you know (a password) and something that have (A text code or authentication application).

Many important applications and platforms now admit 2FA, and enabling it can help block computer pirates, even if they steal their password.

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The most common types of 2FA:

• Text codes or email
• Authenticator applications such as Google Authenticator or Authy
• Biometric verification (fingerprint or face ID)

Activate 2fa where I can. It is one of the simplest ways to level your mobile safety.

4. Mobile Ads ID

The invisible label that tracks your habits

Behind the scene, a single chain of numbers and letters called mobile advertising identifier (mobile ad) is assigned to your phone. It helps advertisers track their behavior in applications and websites to create a profile of their interests.

While it does not include its name, it can be linked to its device and is used to serve directed ads. Think about it as a digital name label for marketing purposes.

Do you want to choose not to participate? Can:

• iPhone: Gonna Settings > Privacy and safety > Follow-up
• Android: Settings > Privacy > Ads and restore either Eliminate your ad ID

You are not obliged to let your phone be announced you.

More: How to escape from the spooky Facebook advertisements

10 simple steps to improve the safety and privacy of your smartphone

5th VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Your personal privacy tunnel

TO VPN It is like a secret tunnel for your Internet connection. Hides your online activities and helps maintain your personal information safe when you use the Internet, especially in public Wi-Fi.

In addition to protecting your information from indecent eyes, a VPN also hides its real location. It allows you to connect to the Internet through a server elsewhere in the world, which seems to be sailing from a different location. This is useful for security (protect your privacy) and to access the content that could be restricted in certain areas.

When connected to public Wi-Fi in a cafeteria or airport, their data may be exposed to computer pirates and spies. That’s where a VPN enters (virtual private network). It figure its internet traffic and enclosures through a safe server, hiding its IP address and protecting its activity.

Think about it as a private tunnel for the use of the Internet, protecting your data from indiscreet eyes.

What VPNS are great:

• Protecting your public Wi-Fi connection
• Access to content blocked by region
• Hide your online activity of advertisers or Internet provider

Just be sure to choose a reliable VPN. Some free VPNs can record your data or slow your phone. A reliable VPN is essential to protect your online privacy and guarantee a safe high -speed connection. To obtain the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPN to navigate on the private web in your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices

Data elimination does what VPNs don’t do it: here is why they need both

Kurt’s Key Takeways

His mobile device is powerful, but so are the privacy risks associated with him. By understanding these five mobile privacy terms, you can take simple but shocking steps to protect your digital life. From extinguishing unnecessary application permits to enable two factors authentication, these small settings can help you keep control and maintain your safe information.

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