Smartphones have become a huge part of our lives. They allow us to stay connected, access important information, and do our jobs effectively. Since a lot of our personal data is stored on our phones, it's important to keep things private. Here's a quick guide on how to maximize your mobile privacy.
Set Up Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
You’re probably familiar with multi-factor authentication by now. If you sign into an account and requires a code on an app or text, that’s multi-factor.
MFA is annoying at times, but you should set it up as much as possible. If there's an app you use that includes private data - personal, financial, etc., you should have multi-factor authentication enabled.
The best option for MFA is an app like Google Authenticator or Authy. Try to avoid using texts or emails for MFA if you can.
A Yubikey is a great alternative if you want to use a physical form of MFA.
Check Your Apps
Your favorite apps request permission to access your phone's features and data. Some permissions are needed for the app to work properly, but others put your privacy at risk.
Take some time to look at the permissions granted to each app and remove anything unnecessary.
For example, Words with Friends doesn't need access to your MAC address. You might find it's better to delete the app altogether.
If you're thinking about downloading a new app, take a look at the reviews and see what the community is saying about privacy concerns.
Keep Things Private
A virtual private network (VPN) is software that creates an encrypted connection between a computer and the internet.
It's mainly used on computers, but there are apps available for phones.
Whatever VPN you choose, make sure it's secure as possible. It needs to have the most updated encryption standards and protocols.
Consider using a VPN when browsing the web, conducting financial transactions, or using public Wi-Fi on your phone.
Wrapping Up
Apps with sensitive data should have MFA enabled immediately.
Check the permissions of all apps you use before downloading, and look for ways to disable permissions if you can.
When it comes to data access, the details are often in the privacy policy. You can read through them, or find websites that do the summarizing for you.
And add a VPN to keep your internet traffic hidden.
