Nowadays, it is practically impossible to do without applications on our smartphone. They make our daily life easier by offering us various functionalities, ranging from communication tools to games and streaming services.
However, these applications are not without risk for the security of our personal information. Indeed, some of them share our data with third parties, in particular for advertising purposes. So how do you prevent your Android apps from sharing your data with third parties? Here are some tips to protect your privacy while enjoying the benefits offered by your smartphone.
Limit app permissions
One of the first steps in protecting your data is to limit permissions granted to apps. When you install a new app, it usually requests access to certain features on your phone – like your contact list, location, or camera. It is essential to think carefully before authorizing these accesses, as they can facilitate the collection and sharing of your data with third parties.
Allow only necessary permissions
To do this, take the time to carefully read the authorizations requested and make sure that they are in line with the main function of the application. For example, a game doesn’t need access to your contact list or location. Allow only the permissions that are strictly necessary for the operation of the application and refuse those that seem excessive or inappropriate.
Regularly check the permissions granted
It is also important to regularly check the authorizations granted to your Android apps. Indeed, some updates may add new requests for access to sensitive data. To check and adjust the permissions granted to apps installed on your phone, follow these steps:
- Go to your device settings
- Select “Applications” or “Application Manager”
- Choose an application then click on “Permissions”
- Change permissions according to your preferences
Do not hesitate to repeat this operation regularly for all your applications in order to limit the risks of sharing your data with third parties.
Use a password manager
In order to protect your accounts and your personal information, it is advisable to use a password manager. These tools make it possible to generate and store complex and unique passwords for each online service to which you are registered, which limits the risks of intrusion and theft of your data. Additionally, most password managers offer an auto-fill feature that eliminates the need to manually enter your credentials, reducing the risk of interception by malicious applications.
Install antivirus and firewall on your Android device
Installing a anti-virus and a firewall is an additional security measure to protect your data. These software will allow you to detect and block malicious applications that may collect and share your information with third parties. In addition, some security solutions also offer advanced features such as protecting your privacy online or the ability to block access to certain sensitive data such as your location.
Regular update of your antivirus
Remember to update your antivirus regularly to benefit from the latest definitions of viruses and other threats. Also, perform full scans of your device periodically to detect and eliminate possible infections.
Opt for privacy-friendly apps
Finally, it is important to choose applications that pay particular attention to the protection of privacy and that undertake not to share your data with third parties. To do this, check the reviews of other users and check if the application has a clear and transparent privacy policy. Also favor open-source applications and those developed by organizations known for their commitment to privacy.
By following these tips, you can continue to enjoy the features offered by your Android applications while minimizing the risks associated with sharing your data with third parties. The security of your personal information, such as your telephone number, will therefore largely depend on your vigilance and your ability to adopt good privacy protection practices.
