5-Minute Phone Privacy Audit to Stop Spies

We all have a lot of sensitive information on our phones: text messages with loved ones, bank details, passwords and family photos.

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You don't want anyone spying on you, whether it's an app creator halfway around the world or the guy sitting behind you at the coffee shop. Take five minutes to perform this privacy audit, then give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

Check your permissions

When you download apps, they often ask for a variety of permissions to access different parts of your phone – for example, your location, camera, microphone, contacts, and text messages. Some are essential for the app to work properly (such as a navigation app that needs access to your location), but others are completely unnecessary.

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The most important permissions to pay attention to are your phone's location, camera, and microphone permissions. Only trust apps that have a clear and legitimate need for these permissions.

Use common sense, too. Ask yourself: does a shopping app really need access to my contacts? Should a photo editing app know my current location? In my case, the answer is no. Granting unnecessary permissions increases the exposure of your privacy, so it's best to err on the side of caution.

Make sure you monitor what access you are giving to different apps on your phone. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

To check what permissions each app has:

Apple iPhone: Gonna Settings > Privacy and securityso Localization services, Camera either Microphone.
Google Pixel: Open Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy Controls > Permission Manager.
Samsung Galaxy: Address Settings > Security and privacy > Permission Manager.

You've probably also granted permissions to apps on your computer that you'd forgotten about. Here's how to check them while you're at it.

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Block everything

The lock screen is the first line of defense against prying eyes. You can use a PIN, pattern, fingerprint, facial recognition, etc. No matter which method you choose, it's much better than leaving your phone unprotected.

If you use a PIN, avoid anything obvious like 1234, your date of birth or address, or the last digits of your phone number.

Apple iPhone: Set this up via Face ID and passcode.
Google Pixel: Address Settings > Security and privacy > Device lock.
Samsung Galaxy: Low Settingslook for Lock screen and AOD.

Make sure you set your phone to automatically lock as soon as possible. It's an easy and foolproof way to keep prying eyes away from your sensitive information. (iStock)

You'll also want your phone to lock as soon as possible when you're not using it. I find about 30 seconds to be the sweet spot between security and annoyance.

Apple iPhone: Low Settingschoose Display and brightness > Automatic lock.
Google Pixel: Address Settings > Screen and touch > Screen timeout.
Samsung Galaxy: From your settings, tap Display > Screen Timeout.

Keep strangers away

The short-range transfer technology built into iOS and Android is very useful when you need to share something with a friend or family member, but you don't want strangers sending you unwanted photos, videos, and other files.

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This happened to me once at the airport. In my case, it was just some teenagers who were pranking me with silly photos, but this can end up much worse.

Apple iPhone: Your device uses AirDrop for these types of transfers. Limit it to contacts only or disable it completely through Settings > General > Airdrop.
Android devices: The transfer tool here is called Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share). On a Pixel, you'll find sharing preferences in Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Quick ShareIn a galaxy, it is under Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share.

Browse the web

Open your phone's browser and welcome instant tracking unless you do something about it.

Web browsing apps are packed with instant tracking mechanisms. Fortunately, you can disable them. (Chesnot/Getty Images)

Put limits on this on your iPhone by opening Settings > Applications and playing SafariIn the app settings, scroll down to Privacy and security and alternate in The option for Prevent cross-site tracking.
For Chrome on Android, open the browser and tap the icon three points (top right). From there, press Settings > Privacy and security > Third party cookies and turn on Block third-party cookies.