This section covers privacy and security steps that will be advantageous for basically everyone. Some of the first steps we want to take are to consider how we interact with our technology and the internet. We can often improve our digital privacy significantly simply by making some small changes. I am not going to go into great detail about these steps because there is plenty of information available online about most of it, and I’m trying to keep this document as concise as possible. These steps are worth taking no matter who you are. Here we go with a quick little list:
- Disable location, camera, and microphone except when in use. Especially location.
- Apps often have the ability to communicate with each other without your knowledge. Even if you disable these permissions for certain apps, they may still have access to the data from other apps (like your maps app).
- Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disabled except when in use.
- Take a look through the permissions you’ve granted your apps. It’s a good idea to turn off location, microphone, and camera permissions for pretty much all apps. Apps that need them can be set to allow it only while the app is open.
- Changing the permissions you allow apps reduces the amount of information that apps and your operating system can collect about you. It’s worth it.
- Restart your phone and computer at least once a week. This can help clear certain types of malware, spyware, and viruses.
- Think about closing your browser regularly (for the same reason it’s good to restart your devices). You can bookmark important tabs to come back to later.
- It’s important to only visit sites that have https:// at the beginning of their address. Sites that begin with http:// are not encrypted and your data will essentially be public. There is often a setting in your browser to enforce this.
- Consider whether you want to use biometrics, such as fingerprint or face unlock, on your device. Authorities in the US are legally allowed to force you to unlock your device with these methods.
- Using a device password or PIN is worth it for many people. It is more secure. Authorities can usually not force you to unlock devices with a password. Be careful to not let people watch you type passwords in.
- Do you have apps or programs you don’t need? Deleting them will improve your privacy and security. You can reinstall them later, and each additional app or program adds additional privacy and security risk.
- Speaking of apps. Do you know who made the app? Do you trust them with your data? Apps often have the ability to exchange data with other apps on your phone. Do you want that app maker to have access to your location data?
- Apps from retailers (like Target and Starbucks) and free apps with lots of ads (often free gaming apps) are usually full of trackers and make money collecting your data. Carefully consider whether this is worth it.
- It’s wise to double check the address a link is going to take you to before clicking on it. If you’re not sure, you can copy the link address and paste it into your search bar to review it.
- Be careful with links on web pages and also in emails. Some browsers tell you the link address if you hover your mouse over it. Get used to checking this.
- Be careful when using public Wi-Fi networks. Are you sure this is a legitimate network? Maybe consider not entering sensitive data on this network and save that for your home network.
- Lots of apps like email and messaging apps are set to automatically download attachments by default. It’s important to disable this functionality, as it is a main way that viruses find their way into your electronics.
- It can be fun to have wacky names for our devices and logins, but naming your accounts something generic like “user” and your device something generic like “device” can actually go a long way to helping protect your privacy.
- When possible, use a service inside your web browser rather than downloading an app or program for it. This is typically more private and collects less data about you.
The next steps are mostly free and pretty easy to learn and implement. They are worth taking for pretty much anyone who cares about getting their privacy back from tech companies. The recommended products and apps are widely utilized and considered to be trustworthy. They are also mostly just as fully functional as products from big tech companies (sometimes more functional).
Here's a short article about the importance of privacy and also the importance of pacing yourself once you begin your privacy journey: Privacy is Like Broccoli.