In the permissions settings for most apps — where applicable — you have the option to turn off in-app purchases. This is highly recommended, as it means the app cannot access your banking details and it will protect you from accidental purchases that can’t always be undone should you inadvertently select an item that automatically […]

Most mobile devices will be initially set up with some forms of voice recognition active. Take the time to go through your settings and deactivate any voice-related assistive services to ensure your phone or tablet is not listening to your conversations unbeknownst to you and whomever you’re talking with.

If you work from home, request that your employer give you a dedicated work laptop or computer. Keeping work and personal data separate will reduce the risk of cross contamination or incidental slips that could lead to serious data breaches. Where possible, do the same with mobile devices; ask for a work phone or tablet […]

Bluetooth connections are so commonly used now that it isn’t always something you may think of turning off when you’re not using a peripheral device. While Bluetooth security is excellent, it’s still vulnerable to infiltration. Leaving Bluetooth active while not connected to a device may present an opportunity for bad actors in your immediate vicinity. […]

The Android operating system has certainly not had the same reputation for security as iOS or desktop systems. Of course, that does not imply it lacks any useful protections, though. On many devices, you can first set up a PIN and then go to Security -> Settings and enable the Encrypt Phone option. Please note […]

For apps that you haven’t used in a long time — or some of the ones that came preinstalled on your device — you may not have ever looked at what permissions have been allowed. It’s worth taking some to check through these to make sure you’re not giving away too much of your personal […]