10 useful ways to prevent your phone from being tracked

Technology

Are you worried about your privacy? It is quite natural to feel that way in the digital era where cybercrime is on the rise.

Most people fear that their data might get leaked and end up in the wrong hands. While people think their laptops could be the cause of potential leaks, they tend to ignore their mobile phones. 

After all, mobile phones contain a lot of our personal information and sensitive data. Someone can track your phone and review your activities. And it’s not just cybercriminals, marketers, advertisers, and other people can also track your phone. 

So, how do you prevent phone from tracking? What sign indicates that someone is tracking your phone? Find out about all these important things through this article to keep your phone safe and secure.

How to know if someone is tracking your phone

You don’t have to be tech-savvy to know if your phone is hacked. Just see if there are any of the following signs with your phone to know if someone is tracking it.

  • Unexpected restarts
  • Slow running phone
  • Quick battery drain
  • Overheating
  • High data usage

You might ignore these signs but they’re a clear indication that there is something wrong with your phone and you should get it checked. 

Prevent phone tracking: 10 effective tips to help

Keeping an eye out for the signs mentioned above is vital to know if someone is tracking your phone. But how do you stop in the first place from accessing your phone? Well, here are a few ways to prevent phone from tracking. 

1) Use a VPN with an ad blocker

Firstly, you need to install a VPN with an ad blocker on your phone. It will ensure you can connect to the internet securely. Using a VPN means you can hide your IP address and encrypt all the traffic. Ideally, you should find a VPN with an ad blocker so it can remove malicious as well as annoying ads.  

2) Use antivirus software

    Besides a VPN, you also need to install antivirus software on your phone. Most cybercriminals will disguise spyware in the form of a legit app, making it difficult for you to spot any such apps. With antivirus software, you can scan the device to prevent any such apps from downloading on the phone again. 

    3) Turn off Bluetooth and GPS

      If your GPS is turned on, then someone can track your location. Similarly, Bluetooth can also help other technologies in tracking your location. Using a Bluetooth beacon, some people can track your location. Therefore, turning off Bluetooth and GPS when not in use is vital. 

      4) Switch on airplane mode

        As mentioned before, tracking your phone is possible with GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. So, if you want to stop it, then the best way to do that is by turning on Airplane mode. Turning on this mode means that your device won’t be able to send any signal. It can stop any device or network from tracking your phone. 

        5) Only use secure browsers

          Using secure browsers is also an effective way to ensure no one tracks your phone. The right brewers will provide additional privacy and prevent tracking by third-party advertisers. You’ll find a wide range of data protection measures that secure browsers would have taken, such as: 

          • Anti-tracking
          • Encryption features 
          • Ad-blocking

          6) Don’t download suspicious apps 

            This is quite obvious as suspicious apps can be the central point to keep an eye on your phone activity. If you find any of the following signs in an app that you’ve downloaded, then it is an indication that it is malicious app: 

            • Asking for too many permission requests
            • Has consistently low ratings
            • Too many pop-up ads 
            • Personal data requests
            • Unavailability on the app store

            7) Check app permissions

              Checking the app permissions that an app requires will allow you to find out if it has spyware. For instance, an app that requires access to contacts, messages, camera, gallery, etc., without having any functionality to it, then it means that the app is suspicious. Therefore, it is best to analyze app permission and uninstall any suspicious ones. Here is how you can do it on your Android or iPhone: 

              How to check app permissions on an iPhone

              • Access Settings: Go to your iPhone’s Settings app.
              • Review Privacy Settings: Navigate to the “Privacy” section.
              • Inspect App Permissions: Explore categories like “Tracking,” “Photos,” “Microphone,” and “Camera.” Check which apps have access to these features.
              • Revoke Suspicious Permissions: If an app’s requested permissions seem excessive or unjustified, restrict access by toggling off the corresponding feature.

              How to check app permissions on an Android phone

              • Access Settings: Open the Settings app on your Android device.
              • Manage App Permissions: Look for options like “App permissions” or “Permission manager.”
              • Review Permissions: Check which apps have access to sensitive information like contacts, location, or camera.
              • Revoke Unnecessary Permissions: If an app requires permissions that seem irrelevant to its function, deny access.

              8) Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi 

                Connecting to public Wi-Fi means exposing your device to different kinds of tracking and monitoring, like behavioral tracking, packet sniffing, location, etc. This allows hackers to intercept data and gather sensitive information, such as bank account details and login credentials. So, it is best to avoid using public Wi-Fi as it can lead to various issues. 

                9) Keep your phone updated

                  Checking for updates on your phone is vital to keep it safe from any malicious actors looking to exploit your device. New updates often come with security patches that can address vulnerabilities and exploits. Furthermore, updates can come with bug fixes as well, which can improve the device’s performance.

                  10) Disable personalized ads

                    Lastly, it is best to disable any personalized app to protect your privacy. While you might still see ads, they won’t relate to your activities. If you don’t want to see any ads altogether, then it is best to get a reputable ad blocker.

                    Protect your phone from tracking

                    If you notice your phone is losing battery quickly or using a lot of data, then it means someone is tracking your phone. There is no need to panic since you can take the measures mentioned in this article. It will ensure that your personal information and sensitive data stay safe from prying eyes.