The default settings of any device are configured so that there are no problems of use so that the user can have a complete experience. Conversely, speaking of smartphones, the user's privacy settings are not exactly the most desired ones and, almost always, some data of use of the mobile phone or some application are shared in a more or less explicit way. Talking about privacy for a mobile phone also means talking about data security therefore, any smartphone you have in hand, be it a Samsung, an HTC, a LG, an Android phone, an iPhone or a Nokia Windows Phone, there are some options to change to protect privacy, as explained in this guide.
For all smartphones, whatever they are, there are privacy settings that must always be activated to prevent someone from spying on our phone. We are not only talking about close people, but also about the online services behind the applications installed on the smartphone and the operating system used ( Android and iOS ).
1) Set up a screen lock with code
Locking the screen prevents other people from taking our cell phone and browsing inside. You can set a PIN, an access code or even a drawn code.
- In another article there is the guide to the lock screen for Android phones .
- On iOS the same setting is found in settings -> access code .
- On Windows Phone, go to Settings -> Lock screen and set a password.
2) Disable interest tracking to personalize advertisements
This is a setting that does not create security problems, but which you may be interested in modifying if you are annoyed by the fact that the advertisements visible while browsing the internet may be influenced by the sites we search and open. To limit the amount of information collected about us, look for the following options:
- On Windows Phone, go to Settings and look for the ad ID tab to disable personalized advertising.
- On iOS the option is in Settings -> Privacy -> Ads .
- On Android you need to open the Google settings app where you can manage your account and preferences for interest-based ads.
3) Find my phone
A smartphone can be lost or stolen at any time and since it contains private data, it would be better to prepare for this eventuality, hoping it never happens. All three platforms, iOS, Android and WP have an internal function to locate the lost mobile phone or if you have to go missing. It is critical that you activate these; if you don't, you can be left with no options if your phone is stolen or lost.
- On iOS go to Settings -> iCloud -> Find my iPod / iPhone / iPad and read the guide on Find my lost or stolen iPhone.
- For Windows Phone the option is in Settings -> Find my phone .
You can then use this website to monitor your phone's location or to wipe it remotely.
- On Android finally the option, already explained in another article, is called find my Android, in Google Settings.
4) Do not save passwords in the browser
It's really convenient to keep website passwords memorized to avoid having to type them every time, but it's terribly insecure. Imagining that the smartphone goes into another person's hand, if he could open the browser he could enter all our accounts.
- On iOS go to Settings -> Safari -> Passwords & Auto Fill to clear saved passwords.
- In Windows Phone go to Settings> Applications> Internet Explorer> advanced settings .
- On Android open Chrome, click on the button at the top right, go to Settings and disable the option to save passwords and that of automatic form filling.
Personally you never follow this rule because however, if you set the phone lock as per point 1, there should be no problems.
5) Specific settings for the various smartphone platforms to manage privacy in applications
- iOS
Most iPHone and iPad applications ask for a number of specific permissions such as access to photos, location, address book, etc. To review the permissions granted, go to Settings -> Privacy .
The same list of applications, albeit in a different order, can be seen by scrolling down the settings.
On iOS you can edit all the information about location sharing in Settings -> Privacy -> Location services -> system services .
You can disable ads based on location and location sharing, while leaving Find My iPhone turned on .
READ ALSO: Options to activate or change on iOS 8 (iPhone and iPad)
- On how to protect privacy on Android and installed apps, I have already covered all the security settings in different guides, also talking about the essential security measures for Android to be activated and how to secure the data of an Android mobile phone.
With an Android smartphone it is important to avoid installing applications outside of Google Play in order not to catch viruses ( Settings -> Security -> Unknown sources ).
In the Settings -> security -> device administrators section, uncheck unused apps. As an addition, to verify the invasion of users' privacy by applications, you need to check all the Android privacy settings hidden in Google Settings
- Windows Phone does not have many settings to change because it is a fairly closed operating system. The only important option is to protect your cell phone from children. It can therefore prevent children from making unauthorized purchases or using particular applications.
The option is in the settings.
READ ALSO: How to protect yourself from the security risks of smartphones
