Mobile phones were designed for many things, such as communication and internet access. Privacy, however, isn’t necessarily one of them.
Because unwanted surveillance needs only a limited amount of information for cell phone service to be hacked, it’s important to take precaution with what information is sent out or which apps are downloaded.
What steps can I take to avoid being susceptible to unwanted surveillance?
First, be sure to download apps from only trusted stores (think Apple Store and GooglePlay). That way, you avoid any unregulated or unverified applications. Many underdeveloped apps may have patchy software structures or be full of vulnerabilities that fail to protect unwanted data leakage.
It’s always a good idea to conduct some preliminary research before downloading an app. This includes checking the app online and reading reviews to weed out any red flags.
Unwanted surveillance is also an umbrella term that covers the idea of unwanted data collection, and this happens often with social media apps. Unfortunately, we users are often the product instead of the consumer for these social media companies. These companies thrive on our data, and our information is often gathered and devoured by them.
Facebook is no exception; it’s actually notorious for its invasive data collection. In the extreme case, truly protecting your privacy can mean even deleting Facebook and Facebook-owned apps off your mobile phone.
If deleting these apps on your phone seems unbearable, then at least be sure to read thoroughly through their terms and conditions and adjust the security and privacy settings accordingly. That way, you don’t allow the app to access any more information than you’re comfortable sharing.
This is especially important when granting the app permission to have contact or network access, all of which seem harmless enough, but can prove to be dangerous as they allow the apps to tap into your data.
Be extra cautious when downloading any free apps, as many of these are harmless enough, but they rely on advert service to fund or sustain them. Beware of clicking on any adverts, inputting any information, or allowing any permissions on these ad-supported apps.
Finally, it is vital to regularly update the trusted apps already on your mobile phone. Often, these updates include improved security features that avoid unnecessary data leakage. Doing so is an extra step to further protect your privacy.
In this new era where data collection is prevalent, it’s important to stay informed and educated on these issues. One shouldn’t wait until they’ve been a victim of mobile phone surveillance to take action. It’s important to take precaution and take preventative measures to avoid any hacking issues.
