How to stop your Smartphone from leaking private information

Do you ever wonder what happens to the wide variety of information your mobile phone is designed to freely give away, whenever you go online? While you may have a bit of knowledge on how mobile phone information can be accessed or used over the internet, you may actually not know the extent to which your privacy is currently being compromised. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of some mobile phone apps and features that may leave you vulnerable or compromise your security, when you don’t take steps to prevent them from leaking vital information about you. But not to worry, stay with us, we’re going to show you what you can do about it!

The Compass/Gyroscope

This may seem unusual to you. How could a compass leak information to…anyone? The compass saves your phone’s orientation and shares it with the web so that you can use mapping and GPS services accurately. The dangerous part is that anyone who cares to ‘listen’ will know exactly what you are doing with your phone right now. Are you holding it with your hand? Is your child holding it? This may be vital information that we do not want people to know. Thankfully, all hope is not lost. You can simply prevent your compass from leaking this information by:

Going to chrome and tapping the 3 dot menu, Select  ‘Settings’ then ‘Site Settings’ and Select ‘JavaScript’, then set it to ‘BLOCKED’. This would prevent your compass information from getting leaked via browsers.

Mapping Services that save where you’ve been

Due to geo-tagging on several social media sites, the use of Mapping services, as well as the fascination of mega companies with finding the most intricate details about where you have been.. all the data saved about the locations you have been, and the details of the places you have visited are usually available online. However, if you do not want people to know the areas you have visited, there is a simple fix.

On Google Maps, find the menu on the top left corner of your screen, select Settings and then tap Personal content. This is where you can disable your location history. Now, Delete all location History. For iOS: Clear History and Switch off frequent locations.

Location tracking using WiFi networks ​

According to Bram Bonné, a Tedx talker who gave a comprehensive talk about the dangers of privacy when it comes to smartphones, and the fact that Android devices continually give out the names of WiFi networks that you have previously been connected to. This can easily be read by anyone who knows how to tap this information, which gives away a lot of your location privacy. Furthermore, spoof networks can be created by anyone, using the names of common WiFi hotspots. With all this information, it is quite simple to see how your data and private life can easily be invaded by strangers and ‘war drivers’ (people driving around neighborhoods with computers or smartphones, in search of open Wi-Fi connections) if you’re not careful. Thankfully, Bonné created an Android app to safeguard us against such threats.

It’s called WiFi PrivacyPolice, and it is able to shut this off, and prevent anyone from checking your previous WiFi connections. Furthermore, this app has another extremely useful feature. It offers you effective protection from people who attack common WiFi providers and break into connections, so as to disrupt the security of websites and hack or steal information.

Trust-worthy apps​​

Are you certain that all the apps you use aren’t slowly stealing valuable information and data from your smartphone? You never know these days, third party apps are created every day, without developers intentions being explicit. Not every developer will come out and say ‘I’m not collecting data, and this app is completely safe’. Don’t worry, there is a solution for you.

Run a scan with MyPermissions Privacy Cleaner, which will tell you which apps pose a threat to your privacy. Some of the permissions that apps require, which we sometimes blindly accept include, ‘Modify your contacts’, ‘Use precise location’ and so on. Be careful when downloading apps, but also remember to run a scan to make sure you’re 100% safe.

Advertisements

Have you noticed recently, how advertisements know your taste, preferences and frequent choices when it comes to products, websites and travel? It can be quite creepy at times. But if you don’t know how it works, I’m about to tell you. When you visit different websites, a lot of data is gathered and a profile is created for you, with all your interests in mind. This information is then fed to advertisers, who use this to streamline the products they advertise to you. Do you like cameras? Do you constantly research things about cameras and read about them online? Well, expect to find an advertisement promoting the latest camera gear and equipment. However, there is a way to stop this.

For android: Go to Google Settings App, then Ads, select Opt out of Ads personalization,then Reset Advertising ID (We don’t want people to know your existing preferences, do we?)

For iOS: Settings, then Privacy, Select Advertising, then Limit Ad tracking, and Reset Advertising Identifier.

EXIF data and Location

Cameras record EXIF data, which is basically metadata about the picture you have just taken (aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc). With smartphones, location is included along with the data. This can be dangerous, due to the fact that if you upload a picture of yourself online, anyone who knows how to read this information will know exactly where you are. Your son or daughter takes a picture from their bedroom; strangers and potential criminals, will know exactly where you and your children live. How do you protect yourself from this danger?

While Instagram and Facebook automatically removes EXIF information when you upload a picture, Flickr and Google may not be so safe. By switching Locations on Google settings, location information from the EXIF will not be stored.

iOS: Settings, then Privacy, select Location Services, then Camera, tap Allow Location Access, select Never.

So there you have it. Hopefully, these tips will help you to properly configure your smartphones to start leaking less information, and hence beef up your privacy. Remember, keeping your information private, and away from the prying eyes of the public, is the only way you can ensure the complete safety of yourself and your loved ones from the cyber threats and ransom situations, which are of growing concern today.

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