How To Configure Your Devices for Privacy Protection

5 min read

The electronic devices we use to go about our daily lives increasingly rely on the internet to function and provide real-time updates to information. Most apps and widgets on mobile devices and personal computers constantly send and receive data via the web to efficiently serve our needs. The same applies when venturing into the internet through the various browsers available and the extensions that simplify online access. 

But with the efficiencies of being constantly connected to the internet comes the individual responsibility of ensuring personal privacy is not compromised online. The default settings of some of the electronic devices and apps we own leave the doors open for the leakage of personal data or potential security breaches by savvy malicious hackers. 

Personal Devices, Especially Phones, Are Poorly Protected by Their Users

As mobile devices evolve to almost equalling the processing power of personal computers, they have naturally become the devices of choice for accessing the internet. According to research by Statscounter.com, mobile device usage in accessing the internet (58%) has eclipsed desktop computers (39%).

Internet usage statistics by the device. Source, StatCounter.com

Another study shows that mobile devices are the least protected by their users. For example, 

• 1 in 10 Android devices has enabled pre-boot passcode encryption
• 1 in 3 Android devices do not have passcodes on their lock screens
• 1 in 20 Android devices is jailbroken
• 20% of Android devices are running OS 5.1.1, and 32% are running version 4.0 or below

Personal security statistics on Android devices. Source, Duo.com.

How to Configure Your Devices for Privacy Protection (iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Crypto Wallets)

It is, therefore, essential for users to familiarize themselves with a few ways to increase the security and privacy of their devices, thus ensuring that they are constantly protected when online. 

Tips for Android Devices

Android-powered mobile devices are the most popular worldwide, and their users can do the following to increase their security and privacy. (A full tutorial can be found here.)

• Minimize google data collection, including location information
• Lock down your device using a PIN or password
• Encrypt the device to protect personal data
• Update Android software and Apps regularly
• Do not trust third-party app stores
• Check app permissions before installing and review them for installed apps
• Check apps that constantly sync to the cloud and disable this feature for apps that are not essential or not used frequently
• Hide private notifications
• Review which apps have access to your location data
• Use privacy-centric browsers

Tips for iOS Devices (iPhone and iPad)

In addition to the tips above for Android devices, iOS users can do the following. (Click here for a full tutorial.)

• Enable the erasing of data after ten failed passcode attempts
• Disable notifications in the lock screen for sensitive apple
• Turn off ‘share my location’ and location services for unimportant apps
• Disable access to sensitive data (contacts, calendar, photos) for unimportant apps
• Turn off read receipts for messages
• Turn on ‘limit ad tracking’ which restricts the tracking of ads across apps 

Tips for Mac Devices

Users of Mac devices can perform the following to increase their privacy. (Click here for a full tutorial.)

• Encrypt the device’s files using the built-in File Vault feature
• Set an account password and disable automatic login
• Update the macOS regularly
• Enable the firewall and stealth mode
• Set automatic log-out after a set period of inactivity
• Use an admin password for system changes
• Restrict location access and sharing by apps
• Download apps from trusted sources such as the Apple store
• Review which apps can access sensitive data such as contacts, calendars, and photos
• Limit the sending of diagnostic and usage data
• Use a privacy-centric browser or VPN

Tips for Windows 7 Devices

Windows 7 is still one of the most popular operating systems around the world. Users can use the following tips to increase their security and privacy (A full tutorial can be found here for Windows 7.)

• Enable a password for your user account
• Limit the use of the administrator account by creating a separate user account for regular usage
• Opt out of the customer experience improvement program
• Encrypto your PC using the built-in BitLocker
• Stop recently opened files and programs from appearing on the Start menu
• Constantly review installed programs for privacy leaks
• Check sharing options for your account profiles
• Keep important files, and folders private
• Turn off remote assistance and remote desktop
• Remove tracking, and data collection updates and prevent them from being installed
• Use a VPN or a privacy-centered browser

Tips for Windows 10 Devices

For Windows 10 users, the following can assist in increasing device security and privacy. (A full tutorial can be found here.)

• Use a password or PIN
• There is no need to link the PC with a Microsoft account
• Enable random hardware addresses when using WiFi
• Disable automatic connection to open WiFi networks
• Disable Cortana to keep voice data private
• Double-check system updates for privacy settings
• Turn off sharing advertising ID with apps on your system
• Limit or turn off location sharing for all apps
• Turn off access to sensitive information for apps
• Turn off speech and typing services which send data to the cloud
• Stop apps from accessing your account information
• Limit apps that send and receive messages
• Review apps that can access Bluetooth, microphone and camera
• Reduce the feedback and usage data sent to Microsoft

Tips for Linux Devices

The Linux OS is often regarded as the safest in the industry. However, the following can be done to increase the security and privacy of devices running it. (A full tutorial can be found here.)

• Do not be overconfident the device is 100% secure because it is running Linux
• Use a password for your user account
• Limit usage of the admin account by creating a standard user account for daily use
• Encrypt data on the device
• Activate the screensaver when the device is idle with a screen lock
• Update the system and review all installed apps regularly
• Constantly check for rootkits
• Disable remote connection settings
• Activate or install firewall protection
• Turn off listening services not needed
• Restrict privileged access with SELinux or AppArmor
• Use a privacy-centric browser

Tips for Crypto Wallet Users

Popular and time-tested wallets such as MetaMask, TrustWallet, and MyEtherWallet, to name a few, have a team of developers constantly working on improvements. However, crypto wallet users can do the following to increase their security and privacy. 

• Constantly check for updates 
• Enable password protection and 2FA
• Whitelist devices, IP, and crypto withdrawal addresses
• Enable login, withdrawal, and deposit notifications
• Store private keys offline and have physical/paper backups of them
• Enable automatic logout after a specific time
• Use a VPN
• Use the OMNIA Protocol to generate secure endpoints when accessing the blockchain. Click here for a tutorial for generating a secure RPC endpoint using OMNIA and here for additional configurations.