Category: Technology
Understanding Privacy & Security Settings
Your phone, computer, tablet, apps, and online accounts all include settings that control who can see your information, what apps can access, how your device is protected, and what happens when you sign in.
These settings can feel overwhelming because there are so many of them, and the names aren’t always clear. The good news is that you don’t need to understand every option.
A few important privacy and security settings can make a big difference. Learning where to find them and what they control can help you protect your information without making technology harder to use.
Privacy and Security Are Related, but Different
These two ideas overlap, but they aren’t exactly the same.
Privacy
Privacy is about controlling who can access or see your information.
Examples include:
- Who can see your social media posts
- Which apps can access your location
- Whether websites can track certain activity
- Who can view shared files
Security
Security is about protecting your device, accounts, and information from unauthorized access.
Examples include:
- Passwords
- Device locks
- Multi-factor authentication
- Software updates
- Account alerts
You usually need both.
Privacy controls what you share.
Security helps keep others from getting access without permission.
Helpful Resources: Browse Device & Account Security for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.
Start With Your Device Lock
One of the most important security settings is your screen lock.
Depending on your device, you may be able to use:
- PIN
- Password
- Fingerprint
- Face recognition
A screen lock helps protect your information if your device is lost, stolen, or left unattended.
Avoid easy codes such as:
- 1234
- 0000
- Your birth year
Use a stronger passcode when possible.
Set Automatic Screen Lock
Your device can usually lock itself after a period of inactivity.
You may see settings such as:
- Auto-Lock
- Screen Timeout
- Require Password
- Lock Screen
Choose a time that balances convenience and security.
If your phone stays unlocked for hours after you put it down, the screen lock isn’t providing much protection.
Review App Permissions
Apps often ask permission to access parts of your device.
Common permissions include:
- Camera
- Microphone
- Photos
- Contacts
- Location
- Bluetooth
- Files
- Notifications
Some permissions are necessary.
For example:
A camera app needs access to the camera.
A navigation app needs your location.
A video calling app needs your microphone.
But not every app needs every permission.
Ask Whether a Permission Makes Sense
When an app requests access, ask:
Does this feature make sense for what the app does?
Examples:
A map requesting your location: reasonable.
A video calling app requesting your microphone: reasonable.
A calculator requesting your contacts and precise location: worth questioning.
You don’t have to automatically approve every request.
Review Permissions Later
You can usually change permissions after installing an app.
Look in your device’s Privacy, Security, or App settings.
You may be able to see which apps can access:
- Location
- Camera
- Microphone
- Photos
- Contacts
Review these occasionally.
You may find apps you no longer use that still have access to information.
Understand Location Settings
Location services allow apps and your device to determine where you are.
This can be useful for:
- Maps
- Weather
- Ride-sharing
- Delivery services
- Finding nearby businesses
- Finding a lost device
But not every app needs to know your location all the time.
Common Location Permission Options
Depending on your device, you may see choices such as:
Never
The app can’t access your location.
Ask Next Time
The app asks again when it needs access.
While Using the App
Location is available only while you’re actively using the app.
Always
The app may access your location even when it’s running in the background.
For many apps, “While Using the App” is enough.
Precise vs. Approximate Location
Some devices allow you to choose between:
- Precise location
- Approximate location
A weather app may only need your general area.
A navigation app may need your exact location.
Use the level that makes sense for the app.
Review Camera Access
Apps that can access your camera may be able to take or capture images when you use certain features.
Review which apps have camera permission.
Remove access from apps that don’t need it.
Review Microphone Access
Microphone access allows an app to listen to audio when its features require it.
This is normal for:
- Video calls
- Voice messages
- Voice assistants
- Recording apps
It’s less obvious why unrelated apps would need microphone access.
Review permissions and turn off access when it isn’t necessary.
Review Photo Access
Apps may ask to access:
- All photos
- Selected photos
- No photos
If an app only needs one picture, you may not need to give it access to your entire photo library.
When your device offers a limited-photo option, it can be a useful privacy choice.
Review Contact Access
Some apps ask to access your contacts.
This may make sense for:
- Messaging
- Calling
- Social apps
But contact access can reveal information about many other people, not just you.
Don’t grant it automatically when the app doesn’t clearly need it.
Notification Privacy
Notifications can reveal information on your lock screen.
For example:
- Text messages
- Email subjects
- Banking alerts
- Appointment reminders
Someone near your phone may be able to see them without unlocking it.
Your device may allow you to:
- Show full notification content
- Hide previews until unlocked
- Disable lock-screen notifications
Choose the level of privacy that feels appropriate.
Review Which Apps Can Send Notifications
Notifications aren’t only a privacy issue. Too many can make your device noisy and distracting.
Review notification permissions.
Consider keeping alerts for:
- Messages
- Calendar reminders
- Banking alerts
- Security warnings
You may not need alerts every time:
- A shopping app has a sale
- A game wants you to come back
- A restaurant sends a promotion
Fewer unnecessary notifications make important ones easier to notice.
Account Security Settings
Important online accounts usually have a security section.
Look for settings involving:
- Password
- Multi-factor authentication
- Recovery email
- Recovery phone number
- Active sessions
- Trusted devices
- Login alerts
These are some of the most valuable settings to review.
Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication adds another step when signing in.
After entering your password, you may also need:
- A code
- Authenticator app
- Security key
- Device approval
- Fingerprint or face recognition
Enable this for important accounts when available.
Start with:
- Banking
- Password manager
- Cloud storage
- Social media
- Work and school accounts
Review Your Recovery Information
Recovery information helps you regain access to an account if you forget your password.
Check:
- Recovery email
- Recovery phone number
- Backup methods
Remove information that is:
- Old
- Incorrect
- Unfamiliar
Outdated recovery information can make account recovery harder and may create security risks.
Review Logged-In Devices
Many accounts show devices or sessions where you’re signed in.
You may see:
- Current phone
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Old computer
- Web browser sessions
Review the list.
Sign out devices you:
- No longer own
- Don’t recognize
- No longer use
If something looks unfamiliar, change your password and review your account security.
Turn On Login Alerts
Some services can notify you when:
- A new device signs in
- A password changes
- Account information changes
- Suspicious activity is detected
These alerts can help you notice unauthorized access quickly.
Make sure your notification email or phone number is current.
Understand Device-Finding Features
Phones, tablets, and some computers include features that can help locate a lost device.
These may allow you to:
- View its approximate location
- Play a sound
- Lock it remotely
- Mark it as lost
- Erase it remotely
These features usually need to be enabled before the device is lost.
Check them while the device is safely in your hand, not after it’s vanished beneath the universe’s largest couch cushion.
Browser Privacy Settings
Web browsers include privacy settings related to:
- Cookies
- Tracking
- Site permissions
- Saved passwords
- Browsing history
- Pop-ups
- Location
- Camera
- Microphone
You don’t need to block everything.
The goal is to understand what websites can request and make thoughtful choices.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small pieces of information websites can store in your browser.
They may help websites:
- Keep you signed in
- Remember preferences
- Keep items in a shopping cart
- Measure usage
- Personalize content
Some are necessary for websites to work properly.
Others are used for advertising or tracking.
Your browser may allow you to control certain types of cookies.
Tracking Settings
Websites and advertising services may collect information about online activity.
Browsers and devices may include settings that limit certain types of tracking.
You might see options such as:
- Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
- Tracking Protection
- Do Not Track
- Personalized Ads
The exact settings vary.
These tools can reduce some tracking, but they don’t make your online activity completely private.
Website Permissions
Websites may ask permission to:
- Know your location
- Use your camera
- Use your microphone
- Send notifications
- Open pop-ups
Don’t automatically select Allow.
Ask whether the website genuinely needs that access.
You can usually change these permissions later in browser settings.
Pop-Up Settings
Browsers often block pop-up windows automatically.
This can help prevent:
- Annoying advertisements
- Misleading warnings
- Suspicious websites
Some legitimate websites use pop-ups for forms or payment windows.
If a trusted site isn’t working, you may need to allow pop-ups for that specific site rather than disabling protection everywhere.
Social Media Privacy Settings
Social media services may let you control:
- Who sees your posts
- Who can message you
- Who can send friend or follow requests
- Who can tag you
- Whether your profile appears in search
- Whether your location is shared
- Who can see your contact information
Review these settings periodically.
Social media platforms change features and privacy options over time.
Public vs. Private Profiles
A public profile may allow almost anyone to see your content.
A private profile usually limits access to approved followers or contacts.
Private doesn’t mean completely private.
People who can see your content may still:
- Screenshot it
- Save it
- Share it
Think carefully before posting information you wouldn’t want distributed more widely.
Review Tagging Settings
Other people may be able to tag you in:
- Photos
- Posts
- Locations
Some services allow you to review tags before they appear on your profile.
This can give you more control over what becomes connected to your name.
Advertising Settings
Many devices and online services allow you to adjust advertising preferences.
You may be able to:
- Limit personalized advertising
- Reset advertising identifiers
- Control certain ad topics
- Review information used for personalization
These settings don’t necessarily remove advertisements.
They may change how ads are selected for you.
Check Sharing Permissions in Cloud Storage
Cloud storage services allow you to share files and folders.
You may see options such as:
- Only you
- Specific people
- Anyone with the link
- View
- Comment
- Edit
Review shared files occasionally.
Someone who needed access six months ago may no longer need it.
Avoid “Anyone With the Link” for Sensitive Files
Broad sharing can be useful for non-sensitive materials.
It’s not ideal for things such as:
- Tax documents
- Identification
- Medical records
- Financial information
- Private family documents
For sensitive files, limit access to specific people whenever possible.
Check App Privacy Information Before Installing
App stores may provide information about:
- What data an app collects
- How data may be used
- Whether information is linked to you
- What permissions the app may request
You don’t need to perform an investigation for every calculator or weather app.
But for apps handling sensitive information, take a closer look.
Delete Apps You No Longer Use
Apps you stopped using may still:
- Store personal information
- Have account access
- Retain permissions
If you no longer need an app:
- Check whether there’s information you want to save.
- Consider whether you also need to close the associated account.
- Remove the app.
- Review connected permissions if necessary.
Deleting an app doesn’t always delete the account associated with it.
Review Connected Apps and Services
Some online accounts allow other apps to connect to them.
For example, you may have used:
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Apple
Sign in with Facebook
Over time, many services can become connected.
Review these connected apps occasionally and remove access for services you no longer use.
Check Payment Settings
Online accounts may store:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Addresses
- Subscription information
Review saved payment methods and remove:
- Expired cards
- Old addresses
- Payment methods you no longer use
Keep accounts containing payment information protected with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Review Subscription Settings
Apps and services may contain recurring subscriptions.
Check:
- What you’re subscribed to
- How much it costs
- Renewal dates
- Whether you’re still using it
Deleting an app usually doesn’t automatically cancel its subscription.
Manage subscriptions through the appropriate account or service settings.
Privacy Settings Aren’t “Set It and Forget It”
Technology changes.
Apps update.
Companies add features.
You install new services.
Your needs change.
Review important privacy and security settings occasionally rather than assuming the choices you made years ago are still appropriate.
A Simple Privacy Review Routine
You don’t need to review every setting every week.
Try a basic review every few months.
Device
Check:
- Screen lock
- Location permissions
- Camera access
- Microphone access
- Photo access
Accounts
Check:
- Password
- Multi-factor authentication
- Recovery information
- Logged-in devices
Apps
Check:
- Permissions
- Notifications
- Apps you no longer use
Social Media
Check:
- Audience settings
- Profile visibility
- Location sharing
- Tagging
Cloud Storage
Check:
- Shared files
- Sharing permissions
- Account security
Twenty minutes a few times a year can uncover settings you forgot were even turned on.
Privacy & Security Settings Checklist
Protect Your Device
✔ Use a strong screen lock
✔ Set automatic locking
✔ Enable device-finding features
✔ Keep software updated
✔ Review lock-screen notifications
Review Permissions
✔ Location
✔ Camera
✔ Microphone
✔ Photos
✔ Contacts
✔ Notifications
Protect Your Accounts
✔ Use strong, unique passwords
✔ Enable multi-factor authentication
✔ Review recovery information
✔ Review logged-in devices
✔ Turn on useful security alerts
Review Online Privacy
✔ Check browser permissions
✔ Review social media privacy
✔ Review tagging settings
✔ Review advertising settings
✔ Remove connected apps you no longer use
Review Sharing
✔ Check cloud-sharing permissions
✔ Remove unnecessary access
✔ Avoid broad sharing for sensitive files
✔ Review saved payment information
✔ Review active subscriptions
Common Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Approving every permission without reading it.
- Giving apps permanent location access when they only need it during use.
- Leaving old recovery phone numbers on important accounts.
- Staying signed in on devices you no longer own.
- Ignoring login alerts.
- Allowing every website to send notifications.
- Assuming private social media posts can never be shared.
- Forgetting about files shared through cloud storage.
- Giving editing access when someone only needs to view a file.
- Leaving unused apps connected to important accounts.
- Assuming deleting an app cancels its subscription.
- Turning off security features because they create one extra step.
- Never reviewing settings after initial setup.
Privacy and security settings aren’t about locking down every feature until your device becomes impossible to use. They’re about deciding what makes sense. Give apps the access they need, protect important accounts, review who can see your information, and remove permissions that no longer serve a purpose. A few thoughtful settings can quietly protect you every day.
Related Guides
- Protecting Your Personal Information Online
- Creating & Managing Strong Passwords
- Recognizing Online Scams & Phishing
- Understanding Your Device Settings
- Understanding Cloud Storage
- Using AI Safely & Protecting Your Privacy
Want to learn more about staying safe online?
Alison is an online learning platform offering free courses across a wide range of practical and professional subjects. Alison’s free Digital and Cyber Security Awareness course provides beginner-friendly guidance on recognizing cybersecurity risks, protecting personal information and devices, preventing common cyber attacks, and developing safer habits when using the internet.
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