5 tech terms that shape your online privacy

Protecting your personal information online starts with understanding the language behind your apps, devices, and accounts. We’ll break down five essential tech terms that directly impact your digital privacy, from app permissions and location tracking to VPNs and cross-app advertising.

Learning these concepts will help you limit data exposure and maintain control of who can see what.

Stay tuned for more in this series as we delve into privacy-related tech terms and other essential concepts, answering the top questions we get from readers like you.

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1) Application permissions

What your apps can actually see

Every app on your phone asks for permissions and approval to access features like your camera, microphone, location, contacts, or photos. Some permissions are necessary for an app to work, but many apps ask for much more access than they actually need.

Once granted, these permissions can allow apps to collect data in the background, sometimes even when you’re not actively using them. Over time, this can silently expose sensitive personal information.

Regularly reviewing and limiting app permissions in your phone’s settings is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your privacy. Pay special attention to apps with access to your location, microphone, and photo library.

iPhone steps (iOS 18 and later)

To review permissions by category

• Open Settings
• Tap Privacy and security
• Select a category like Location services, Microphone, Camera, Photos either Contacts
• Review each application list
• Change access to Never either While using the app when available

To review permissions by application

• Open Settings
• Scroll down and tap the application name
• Deactivate any permissions that the app doesn’t really need

Additional Privacy Tip

• For Photoschoose Limited access instead of full library access when possible

Android steps (Android 14 and later)

YesSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

To review permissions by category

• Open Settings
• Tap Privacy
• Tap permissions manager
• Select a category like Location, Camera, Microphone either Contacts
• Review apps and change access to not allow either Allow only while using the app

To review permissions by application

• Open Settings
• Tap Applications
• Select an application
• Tap Permissions
• Remove any permissions that are not essential

Additional Privacy Tip

• Deactivate Allow background use for applications that do not need constant access

Why this matters

• Apps can collect data even when you’re not using them
• Location, microphone and photo access are the most sensitive
• Fewer permissions mean less data exposure
• You maintain control without damaging most applications

Additional protection beyond configuration:

Even with careful permission management, malicious apps and phishing attempts can still get through. A reliable antivirus solution helps block malware, fake pop-ups, and dangerous downloads before they compromise your device.

Get my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2026 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

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2) Location services

When your phone knows where you are, it constantly

Location services use GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and nearby cell towers to determine your location. While this is useful for maps and weather, many apps ask for constant access that they don’t actually need.

Reduce access limits to location, tracking and help protect your daily routines.

iPhone steps (iOS 18 and later)

To review all location access

• Open Settings
• Tap Privacy and security
• Tap Location services

For each application

• Touch a application name
• Select Never either While using the app
• Fold precise location off unless necessary

Recommended settings

• Avoid Always unless the app really needs background tracking
• Wear While using the app for most applications
• Deactivate precise location for weather, shopping and social apps

System services (optional)

• Scroll down and tap System services
• Disable items you don’t need, such as Location-based ads and Location-based suggestions

Android steps (Android 14 and later)

YesSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

To review location access

• Open Settings
• Tap Privacy
• Tap Location

For each application

• Tap Location access for apps
• Select an application
• Choose not allow either Allow only while using the app
• Fold Use a precise location off when available

Recommended settings

• Avoid allow all the time
• Wear Allow only while using for navigation applications
• Disable precise location for apps that do not require precision

Why this matters

• Location data reveals routines, habits and patterns.
• Many apps track location in the background by default
• Limiting access reduces profiling and data sharing
• You maintain core functions without constant monitoring

3) Two-factor authentication (2FA)

Your second line of defense

Two-factor authentication (2FA) It adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts by requiring something you know (your password) and something you have, like a one-time code sent to your phone or generated by an app.

Even if hackers steal your password through a data breach either phishing attack2FA can prevent them from accessing your accounts. That’s why security experts strongly recommend enabling it on email, banking, cloud storage, and social media accounts.

It may take a few seconds longer to log in, but 2FA can prevent identity theft and unauthorized access, making it one of the most powerful security tools available.

Additional Safety Tip:
Strong passwords and two-factor authentication work best together. If remembering complex passwords or managing one-time codes seems overwhelming, a secure password manager can securely generate, store, and autofill strong passwords.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

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4) VPN (virtual private network)

Hide your online activity

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the Internet, masking your IP address and protecting your online activity from outsiders.

VPNs are especially important when using public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels or cafes, where cybercriminals can intercept unprotected data. They also help limit tracking by advertisers and Internet service providers.

While a VPN doesn’t make you completely anonymous online, it adds a valuable layer of privacy and security, especially when browsing, shopping, or accessing sensitive accounts.

For the best VPN software, check out my expert review of the best VPNs for private web browsing on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices in Cyberguy.com.

5) Tracking between applications

How companies follow you in all applications

Cross-app tracking allows advertisers and data brokers to link your activity across multiple apps and websites. That data is used to create detailed profiles based on what you do, buy, and watch.

In iPhonethis tracking is controlled by Apple’s App Tracking Transparency system.
In Androidis based on advertising IDs and ad personalization controls.

Disabling them limits the ease with which businesses can connect their behavior across apps. You will still see ads, but they will not be tailored to your personal activity.

iPhone steps (iOS 18 and later)

• Open Settings
• Tap Privacy and security
• Tap Follow-up
• Fold Allow apps to request tracking off

Optional additional protection

• Check the list of apps below and make sure no app can track you
• Apps that have already been denied cannot track you on other apps or websites

Android steps (Android 14 and later)

YesSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

• Open Settings
• Tap Privacy
• Tap Advertisements
• Fold Remove advertising ID in
• Tap Ad Topics and turn them around off
• Tap Ad Measurement and turn it off

What does this do?

• Delete your advertising ID
• Prevent apps from sharing ad behavior between other apps
• Limit cross-app and interest-based ad profiling

One more thing you should know:
Turning off cross-app tracking helps in the future, but it doesn’t delete data that has already been collected. Data removal services can help you request removal of your personal information from data broker sites.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web: Cyberguy.com.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Do you think your devices and data are really protected? Take this quick quiz to see where you stand digitally. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing well and what you need to improve. Take my quiz here: do yberguy.com.

Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Online privacy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Once you understand what these common technology terms really mean, it will be much easier to spot where your data is collected and decide what you’re comfortable sharing. Small changes, like tightening app permissions or turning off cross-app tracking, can make a significant difference over time. Staying informed is the first step to staying in control, and we’ll continue to break it all down so you can protect your digital life with confidence.

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Are you confused by a technology term or do you want me to explain something to you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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