Your smartphone might be your closest companion, tracking your steps, saving your passwords, and remembering your favorite takeout. But how much do you know about how it protects (or exposes) your privacy? We’re breaking down five key mobile privacy terms that could make all the difference when it comes to keeping your personal info safe. Whether you’re team iPhone or Android, understanding these concepts can help you take control of your digital footprint—right from the palm of your hand. Stay tuned for more in this series as we dive deeper into privacy-related tech terms and other essential concepts, answering the top questions we get from readers like you.
1) Location Tracking
Your phone’s GPS isn’t just for directions. Every time you check the weather, tag your location on Instagram, or ask Google Maps for the quickest route, you’re sharing your whereabouts. That’s thanks to Location Tracking—a feature built into most apps and devices that uses GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cell towers to pinpoint your location. Here’s the catch: many apps track you even when you’re not using them. Some use this data to serve local content or ads, while others collect and sell it to third parties. How to protect yourself:
- Check which apps have location access in your settings
- Switch from “Always” to “While Using the App”
- Consider turning off location services entirely when you don’t need them
Knowing when and how you’re being tracked is the first step to stopping it.
2) App Permissions
What your apps know about you (and maybe shouldn’t). Before you can use that new photo editor or budgeting tool, it probably asked for a few things: access to your camera, contacts, microphone, maybe even your calendar. These are called App Permissions, and they determine what parts of your phone an app can interact with. While some requests are necessary (e.g., a video app needs camera access), others can be excessive or even suspicious. For example, why does a flashlight app need your location or call logs? Tips for staying in control:
- Review permissions when installing apps
- Regularly audit your app settings
- Delete apps you no longer use
Your data shouldn’t be the price of convenience. Set boundaries.
3) Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
A second lock on your digital front door. Passwords aren’t perfect. That’s where Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) comes in. It adds an extra layer of protection by requiring two forms of identification before granting access to your account—typically something you know (a password) and something you have (a text code or authentication app). Many major apps and platforms now support 2FA, and enabling it can help block hackers, even if they steal your password. Most common types of 2FA:
- Text or email codes
- Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Authy
- Biometric verification (fingerprint or face ID)
Activate 2FA where you can—it’s one of the simplest ways to level up your mobile security.
4) Mobile Ad ID
The invisible label that tracks your habits. Behind the scenes, your phone is assigned a unique string of numbers and letters called a Mobile Advertising Identifier (Mobile Ad ID). It helps advertisers track your behavior across apps and websites to build a profile of your interests. While it doesn’t include your name, it can be linked to your device and used to serve targeted ads. Think of it as a digital name tag for marketing purposes. Want to opt out? You can:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking
- Android: Settings > Privacy > Ads, and reset or delete your Ad ID
You’re not obligated to let your phone advertise you.
5) VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Your personal privacy tunnel. A VPN is like a secret tunnel for your internet connection. It hides your online activities and helps keep your personal information safe when you’re using the internet, especially on public Wi-Fi. In addition to protecting your information from prying eyes, a VPN also hides your real location. It allows you to connect to the internet through a server in another part of the world, which makes it appear as though you’re browsing from a different location. This is useful for security (protecting your privacy) and for accessing content that might be restricted in certain areas. When you connect to public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport, your data can be exposed to hackers and snoops. That’s where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) comes in—it encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure server, hiding your IP address and protecting your activity. Think of it as a private tunnel for your internet usage, shielding your data from prying eyes. What VPNs are great for:
- Protecting your connection on public Wi-Fi
- Accessing region-locked content
- Hiding your online activity from advertisers or your internet provider
Just make sure to choose a trustworthy VPN—some free ones may log your data or slow your phone down. A reliable VPN is essential for protecting your online privacy and ensuring a secure, high-speed connection. Based on extensive testing, here are our top recommendations: ExpressVPN is the go-to choice for those who prioritize ultra-fast speeds, reliability, and top-tier security. With servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN delivers blazing-fast performance for streaming, gaming, and secure browsing. It supports P2P file sharing, offers best-in-class encryption, and maintains a strict no-logs policy—with all servers running on RAM for enhanced privacy. You can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously, and setup takes under 2 minutes. Plus, with 24/7 live customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, ExpressVPN is a premium choice for security-focused users who want speed without compromise. CyberGuy Exclusive ExpressVPN Deals: Surfshark – Best for Unlimited Devices & Budget-Friendly Security. If you're looking for a more affordable VPN without sacrificing security, Surfshark is an excellent choice. Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark operates under a strict no-logs policy and offers top-notch encryption to keep your data safe. However, Surfshark stands out by allowing unlimited devices on a single account—making it perfect for families, small businesses, or users with multiple gadgets. It also includes features like MultiHop (double VPN) and Camouflage Mode to bypass VPN restrictions in censored regions. With a budget-friendly price and feature-rich security, Surfshark is ideal for those who want privacy on a budget. CyberGuy Exclusive Surfshark Deals: Both ExpressVPN and Surfshark are excellent choices—ExpressVPN excels in speed and security, while Surfshark offers unbeatable value with unlimited connections. Choose the one that fits your needs and stay safe online.
Kurt’s key takeaways: Your mobile device is powerful, but so are the privacy risks associated with it. By understanding these five mobile privacy terms, you can take simple yet impactful steps to protect your digital life. From turning off unnecessary app permissions to enabling two-factor authentication, these small tweaks can help you stay in control and keep your information safe. Confused by a mobile tech term or want help tightening up your privacy settings? Drop your questions below—we’ve got more tips coming your way. Let us know in the comments below.
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Privacy is power and so is information. In business, for example, competition is fierce and trade secrets can and will be stolen and sold to the highest bidder if companies are not careful. Your personal life is also not safe. For instance, in 2024, credit card fraud topped the list of identity theft cases. Most of the data is obtained from your online activities as hackers have their ways of stealing it. Luckily, you can prevent this by using leak tests to protect your privacy. Read on to find out more about leak tests.
Before diving into the types of leak tests available, let’s first discuss what data leaks and leak tests are. Data leakage is accidentally exposing sensitive data concerning a business or a person to cybercriminals. The leaks could be:
- Physical: Such as by carrying the sensitive data in storage devices like flash drives.
- Electronic: This refers to sending sensitive data through email or over the internet.
The main cause of such data leaks are theft of electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones in which sensitive information could be stored. Other causes include vulnerable software and misconfiguration — especially in firewalls, privacy settings, cloud storage, and software settings. While there is a blurry line between data breaches and data leaks, the latter are accidental whereas the former are typically intentional.
To take the proper preventive measures against data leaks and breaches, you should know the precise risks you are facing. There are different types of real tests to help you understand where your vulnerability lies:
WebRTC refers to web real-time communication which has been embraced to enable video conferencing, online gaming, and live streaming. It comprises APIs and communication protocols that facilitate peer-to-peer data exchange between Internet browsers. WebRTC leaks happen when your real IP address is exposed since even if you use a proxy or VPN, webRTC still bypasses it. You can conduct a webRTC leak test through websites that offer the tools freely. Start by finding your device’s public IP address and use the free online tests to check if your IP address matches any on the leak test tool. If it matches, your browser could be leaking your IP address through webRTC.
Domain Name System (DNS) facilitates browsing and managing DNS traffic by translating user-friendly domain names into numerical addresses, enabling data routing across the web. You can, therefore, easily find a website based on an easy-to-remember domain name instead of having to cram complex numerical IP addresses. The most common signs that you might be having a DNS leak could be a sluggish internet connection, unblocked websites that should be restricted, and unexpected pop-ups and advertisements. A DNS leak test determines which servers your browser is using to resolve domain names. If after running the test you find that a DNS server belongs to your ISP (internet service provider), you definitely have a leak.
Although IPv6 is the latest version of Internet Protocol (IP), it is yet to be fully implemented globally. As a result, most users are stuck with using IPv4 whose format is entirely different. If your ISP offers both versions, but you visit a website that supports only IPv4, then the request sent to the server will comprise both versions of IP. Most VPNs usually use IPv4 and consequently, your data will exit the secure network and accidentally transmit IPv6 traffic leading to exposure.
It is better to be safe than sorry considering that in 2024’s third quarter, at least 422 million data records were leaked. Data leaks can cause irreparable harm to your finances, especially in business when competitors get a hold of your secrets. A data breach could also make you part with millions of dollars in fines and recovery which will significantly impact your profit margins. When companies suffer a hacking attack, they may be left unable to refund customers for the services they had paid for, resulting in business closure. Usually, the money spent on prevention is far less than that used to recover lost data, and worse, your damaged reputation. Your online privacy depends heavily on how well you protect your IP address. A small leak in your IP address could cause a lot of damage. With the different types of tests mentioned, you can conduct the one you feel best suits you to protect your online privacy. Besides, with the tests being free you have no excuse not to safeguard your privacy. So, why not take the necessary tests today?
