How To Stop Third Parties From Tracking Your Device?

Table of Contents:

1. How to stop third parties from tracking your devices, including Android and iPhones

2. What are the techniques used to track your devices?

3. How to stop someone from accessing your phone secludedly

4. What are a few preventive measures to take if someone is tracking your phone?

5. Safeguarding your phone from malware

Is it possible that your electronic devices are being tracked? Certainly, yes. Companies, such as Google, rely on collecting user data, including browsing habits and your location details, to make money. Additionally, there are also scammers posing as individuals or entities with the right know-how to track your phone using malware software.

How to stop third parties from tracking your devices, including Android and iPhones

There are numerous operating systems that come with a variety of built-in safeguards that help secure your devices, such as Android and iPhone, from tracking and other undesirable behaviours. Whereas, there are few apps that demand certain information to access them.

However, to prevent third parties from tracking your devices, including Android and iPhones, consider the following steps for each platform:

For Android –

1. App Permissions – Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > [App Name] > Permissions to control what data each app should access. Additionally, a user should review and manage app permissions.

2. Location Settings – Turn off location services or grant access only to someone you know, trust, or need. A user can find it in Settings > Location.

3. Google Account Settings – Manage the privacy of your Google account settings, which include Location history and Ad personalisation, which you can find at https://myaccount.google.com/.

4. App Installations – A user should only download apps from the Google Play Store, as they’re entitled to be more secure and monitored for malicious apps.

5. Privacy Settings – To control permissions for contacts, cameras, microphones, and other features, go to Settings > Privacy.

For iPhones –

1. App Permissions – To manage app access on iPhones, a user can adhere to various functionalities such as location, camera, microphone, and more. They can follow Settings > Privacy.

2. Location Services – A user can disable location access for particular applications or turn off Location Services completely by going through Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

3. Apple ID Privacy – You may limit ad tracking in Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising by setting “Personalised Ads.”

4. App Store Settings – Download apps A user should only download applications exclusively from Apple’s App Store, which is known for stricter app scrutiny.

5. App Tracking Transparency (iOS 14.5+) – Before tracking your activities across applications and websites, this feature asks apps to ask for permission. Turn it on in Settings > Privacy > Tracking.

What are the techniques used in tracking your devices

A third party uses various techniques to track your devices, which include Android and iOS. Listed below are a few common techniques a user can identify:

• GPS Tracking – Individuals or con artists use the Global Positioning System, also known as Navstar GPS, to pinpoint a user’s device location precisely.

• Cellular Tracking – Individuals use this technique through mobile network signals to estimate a device’s location based on nearby cell towers it connects to.

• Wi-Fi Tracking – A user’s devices can be tracked based on the Wi-Fi networks they connect to, which enables location forecasts.

• Bluetooth Tracking – In this technique, individuals or con artists use Bluetooth signals to detect nearby devices and infer proximity and movement patterns.

• Artificial Intelligence Pattern Recognition – Individuals gain AI analyses data from various sources, for instance, location and behaviour, to predict device movement patterns.

How to stop someone from accessing your phone secludedly

To prevent unauthorised remote access to your phone, a user can implement various measures, which include: setting a strong PIN or password for device access; enabling biometric authentication; keeping your device’s operating system and apps updated to the latest versions; avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments; regularly reviewing and revoke app permissions; disabling unnecessary features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use; and considering using a reliable security app that offers remote tracking and wiping capabilities in case of loss or theft.

What are a few preventive measures to take if someone is tracking your phone?

A user can lose a substantial amount of information, and there are inherent risks to recovering it. However, there are a few preventive measures one should take for someone tracking your phone, including:

• Use a VPN Mobile Security system – A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, which makes it difficult for someone to track your online activity.
• Keep your software up to date – Software updates typically include security patches that can help a user protect their phone from tracking. However, it is imperative for them to make sure to install software updates as soon as they are live.

• Beware what apps you install – A user should only install apps from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Additionally, they should be wary of apps that request excessive permissions, such as access to your location or sensitive information.

• Disable sharing location – A user can disable sharing location for individual apps or for your phone as a whole. To do this, open the phone’s Settings > Location.

• Use a privacy-focused browser – There are various privacy-focused browsers available, such as Scam Reviewer. These browsers typically block trackers and other third-party associates, which makes it extremely difficult for someone to track your device or online activities in particular.

Safeguarding your devices from malware

Protecting devices or software, such as Android or iOS, from malware can be challenging and complex. However, to prevent losing their sensitive information, a user should install reputable antivirus software, keep their operating system and apps up-to-date, enable firewall settings, avoid suspicious links and downloads, use strong and unique passwords, and be wary of phishing attempts. Most importantly, a user should backup their data regularly and exercise safe browsing practices to minimise potential risks.

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