How to protect your personal data on Android and iOS Phones?

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Why is online privacy important?

Privacy and data should be protected online in similar ways it is in actual life. So you conduct a private chat within locked doors or merely provide your banker your financial data.

It's crucial to keep in mind nothing is ever free, be it installing applications, utilizing a firm's "free" email system (like Gmail), or accessing social media sites like Facebook. Furthermore, simply browsing a website entails providing personal information. And, just as some individuals in real life are more familiar than others, internet privacy is a continuum: specific platforms collect and keep more data about you than somebody else.

For a variety of reasons, internet privacy is crucial. First, you wouldn't want others to know about your private life, though it's challenging to know what personal data is handled by whom: data acquired by one firm may be exchanged with another.

Customized, targeted advertising that retains your online search history may make you feel uneasy. Hackers can easily access your personal information, track your activity and for this reason it makes sense to download a free mobile VPN and be protected. So we recommend you not to miss this opportunity and try this right now!

Data traded from one firm to another, including data acquired and exchanged without your knowledge, are more troublesome. This is criminal activity. Hence you must protect yourself and your online activity.

Following are the steps you can take to avoid having your mobile device exploited like IOS.

1. Stay updated — and don't poke flaws in the system yourself.

Once it refers to safeguarding oneself against cybercriminals, the first strategy is to constantly apply system updates immediately when they become accessible, valid for both smartphones and computers. Yes, upgrading may be a time-consuming and inconvenient procedure, and it can occasionally result in annoyances in the design you're accustomed to. Nonetheless, a large percentage of successful attacks use flaws that are already addressed; exposing oneself needlessly is foolish.

2. Be cautious about what you download.

Once you download a mobile application, users may be prompted to allow it rights by reading your files, accessing your webcam, or listening in on an audio microphone. These powers have genuine applications, but they may also be abused, so consider twice before granting the request. This is especially true for Android phones, as Google's app-vetting procedure isn't as rigorous as IOS, and dangerous applications have been reported to linger days on the Google Playstore until being discovered and removed.

3. Take a look at what's all on your smartphone.

Even though the applications on your smartphone first appeared to be essential and harmless, future upgrades may have changed those into something dangerous. Create 2 minutes to get into all the applications on your device and check which permits they're utilizing.

4. Make it difficult for attackers to get access.

A thief who has direct access to the device might cause a lot of problems. For starters, your messaging app most likely stores a wealth of personal data. When not used, ensure your device is locked: all Android and apple may be configured to request a six-digit password. Other methods, such as fingerprints or face recognition, may be available on your phone. Of course, such techniques are not really perfect – a skilled hacker might duplicate your biometrics from a glass bottle or fool CCTV with an image of you – though they're safer than nothing.

5. Usage of VPN

A free mobile VPN such as VeePN can help prevent you from identity fraud by encrypting your files. VPN for android provides a secure channel for the information you transmit, keeping it all out of the hands of cybercriminals. If you leave your device's Wi-Fi on all the time, it might be susceptible without you even realizing it. VeePN is free of cost and would prove to you that it secures your data on the first day of its trial.

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6. Do not let lock screen alerts spoil the fun.

Messages and alerts from a variety of applications appear on your device's lock screen. That's worth considering what these alerts could indicate—assuming that you worked at a large bank, for instance, a clear message from a coworker or a conference reminder signals to a burglar that this may be a valuable phone to take.

7. Use a secure digital app.

A privacy app is a one-stop source for data security technologies for your desktop and mobile. Secure your gadgets from online dangers, use a secured VPN to access open Wi-Fi, keep hold of always-on darknet surveillance, and also get internet security advice from security professionals.

8. Don't use internet services if they aren't locked.

Auto-login is a handy function, mainly because entering credentials on a keyboard may be a hassle. Unfortunately, it also is a significant security risk: an invader opens your tab to have accessibility to all of your account information.

As a result, auto-login functionality should be avoided at all costs. If you have to, utilize password management software that compels users to re-enter a complex password regularly. Also, please do not use the same passcode for several apps or services: once one password is discovered, it may be exploited to access a wide range of personal information. If you're meticulous regarding protecting your smartphone, this is true: Hackers breach internet providers daily to obtain login information, which they subsequently utilize on other platforms.

9. If your device goeswalkies, you'll get a notification.

When you are hesitant about buying a smartwatch, there's one feature that could persuade you: If your Android Wear or Apple Watch loses Bluetooth communication with your smartphone, they will notify you instantly. If you receive this message when in a public area, it's likely that someone has just grabbed your bag and is attempting to steal your phone.

So when the connection fails, the phone is usually less than half a mile. Thus the alert allows you to immediately call the phone, perhaps bringing awareness to the robber and encouraging them to throw it away. If that fails, users can secure the device before the intruder has an opportunity to get in and take your information.

How do I block my phone from being tracked?

Even after following the steps mentioned above, you notice that your phone is being tracked, there still are things that you can do,

1. 1. Switch off your device's cellular or Wi-Fi bands. Turning on "Flight Mode" is the most straightforward approach to complete this operation.
2. 2. Turn off your GPS signal.
3. 3. Remove the power and shut down your phone.

Marvin Fry

Update 22 August 2021