Where do I find settings and privacy?

Finding the settings and managing privacy on your devices and accounts can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple steps, you can easily locate the settings menus and take control of your privacy. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on finding settings and privacy controls on your smartphone, computer, browser, social media, and other popular apps and services.

Smartphone Settings

On smartphones like iPhones and Android devices, the settings menu is where you can manage all aspects of your device. Here’s how to find your phone’s settings:

iPhone – Open the Settings app which is preinstalled on your home screen or can be found inside the folder called Apple Apps.

Android – Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon to open Settings. On some versions of Android, swipe down twice to expand the quick settings menu, then tap the gear icon.

Inside Settings, you’ll find options to configure your device’s connections like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data. There are also sections for customizing sounds, display brightness, battery charging, and more. Here are some key settings to check:

Privacy – Review which apps have access to functions like the camera, microphone, location, and contacts.

Security – Set up screen locks, fingerprint IDs, facial recognition, and find device security options.
Accounts – Manage syncing for email, calendar, and connected cloud storage accounts.
Apps – Control notifications, permissions, and data usage for installed apps.

Display – Customize screen brightness, font size, and color options.

Getting familiar with the settings menu is the key to fully configuring and securing your smartphone. If you’re not sure where to find a particular setting, use the search bar at the top of the Settings app on iOS or Android.

Computer Settings

Computers also have a central settings hub where you can control system preferences. Here’s how to access settings on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers:

Mac – Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
Windows – Open the Start menu and click Settings.
Linux – Open the Activities menu and search for “Settings.”

In Settings on a computer, some key sections to review include:

Privacy – Manage data collection and permissions for apps and services.
Security – Set up firewalls, antivirus software, and account security options.

Network – Connect to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and configure internet connections.
System – Adjust display, power, mouse, keyboard, and time settings.
Accounts – Add or remove user accounts for the device.

Dig around in the Settings app to get your computer configured just the way you want. Utilize the search feature if you need help tracking down a specific setting.

Browser Settings

Inside your preferred web browser, like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, there are robust settings to control privacy, security, appearance, and performance. Here’s how to access settings:

Chrome – Click the three vertical dots at the top right, then Settings.

Firefox – Click the three horizontal lines at the top right, then Settings.
Safari – Click Safari at the top, then Preferences.
Edge – Click the three horizontal dots at the top right, then Settings.

In browser settings, focus on these key options:

Privacy & security – Choose cookie settings, pop-up blockers, and private browsing preferences.
Search engine – Switch your default search engine.

Extensions – Manage add-ons and plugins.
Appearance – Change themes, tabs, menu bars, and fonts.
Profiles – Set up distinct configurations for work, school, or personal browsing.

Customizing your browser’s settings ensures a smooth, secure browsing experience tailored to your preferences. Reset settings to defaults if your browser begins acting buggy.

Social Media Settings

Social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok have customizable settings for optimizing and controlling your profiles. Access settings by:

Clicking your profile picture/icon, then Settings or the gear icon

Opening the site menu (usually represented by three lines) and selecting Settings or a similar option

Key social media settings include:

Privacy – Limit visibility of posts, restrict friend/follower requests, disable location tagging.

Security – Set up two-factor authentication and login approvals.
Notifications – Control frequency and types of notifications received.
Account – Switch to a professional profile, change contact info, or deactivate account.

Preferences – Choose language and content filter settings.

Regularly updating your social settings preserves your sanity and ensures you’re sharing in a way that suits your needs.

App Settings and Privacy

Apps on your devices request access to certain features like the camera, microphone, location, and contacts. You can control what apps are allowed access in your device settings or the app itself. Review permissions by:

iPhone – Settings > Privacy > tap each feature (e.g. Camera, Contacts) to see which apps have requested access.
Android – Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > App permissions > tap each feature to view apps.
On desktop apps, look under settings/preferences for a Permissions or Privacy section.

Carefully evaluate whether each app needs the access it’s requesting. Restrict any unnecessary permissions to protect your privacy. You can also visit an app’s Play Store or App Store listing online to view requested permissions.

Securing Accounts

Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) is the best way to secure accounts like email, social media, banking, shopping, and more. With 2FA, you need both your password and a temporary code generated by an authenticator app or sent via text. To set up 2FA:

Log into your account settings and look for “two-factor authentication” or “login approvals.”

Follow the prompts to enable and configure 2FA – you’ll need to download an authenticator app like Authy or Google Authenticator.
When logging in going forward, enter the code from your authenticator app after your password.

With 2FA enabled, hackers won’t be able to access your accounts even if they steal your password through phishing or data breaches.

Protecting Privacy on Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices like Amazon Echo, Google Nest, and home security cameras stream a huge amount of personal data back to manufacturers. Here are a few tips for minimizing privacy risks:

Connect smart devices on a separate Wi-Fi network from your personal devices.
Use a voice command like “Alexa/Google, delete everything I just said” to selectively delete recordings.

Frequently purge voice recording history in your device settings or app.
Disable the microphone on security cameras when not in use.
Place smart speakers in less sensitive areas instead of private rooms.

Review smart home terms, privacy policies, and opt out of data collection if possible.

Smart devices provide convenience at the cost of your privacy. Taking proactive precautions gives you more control over your personal data.

Managing Privacy for Kids

If your child uses a smartphone, tablet, computer, or other connected device, they require age-appropriate privacy safeguards. Some suggestions include:

Use parental control settings to limit screen time and block inappropriate content.
Disable location sharing and review friends/contacts lists on their devices.
Set up a child account on app stores and streaming services to limit purchasing power.

Turn off targeted ads in account settings and browsers.
Monitor your child’s social media activity and enable privacy settings.
Have open conversations about online safety and responsible device usage.

It’s also important to set a good example for your kids by responsibly managing screen time and modeling healthy technology habits.

Using a VPN for Online Privacy

A VPN, or virtual private network, routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to hide your online activities and location. Enabling a VPN provides several privacy perks:

Prevents your internet provider from tracking the websites you visit and selling your browsing data.

Hides your IP address and physical location from sites you access.
Encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi hotspots to protect from eavesdropping.
Bypasses geographic restrictions on streaming content catalogs.

Some top VPN providers to consider are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, TunnelBear, and ProtonVPN. Do research to pick one that fits your budget and needs.

Securing Your Web Searches

Here are a few quick tips to keep your web searches more private:

Use a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo or Startpage that don’t track your searches.

Turn on private or incognito browsing mode in your browser to avoid storing search history.
Don’t log into your Google account on public computers when searching.
Delete cookies, cache, and search history regularly.

Review Google Account history periodically and delete sensitive searches.

Keep in mind your internet service provider can still view your traffic, so a VPN provides another layer of search privacy online.

Preserving Privacy on Public Wi-Fi

When connecting to public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, hotels, airports, and other locations, keep these tips in mind:

Avoid accessing sensitive accounts like email, banking, and credit cards over public Wi-Fi.
Turn on your phone’s Personal Hotspot to route traffic through your cellular connection when possible.
Use a VPN to encrypt all traffic leaving your device.

Look for “.edu” at the end of the network name to find more secure university Wi-Fi connections.
Enable two-factor authentication on accounts for extra login security.
Make sure you’re connecting to the legitimate network name and not a spoofed hotspot.

Stay alert on public Wi-Fi and take precautions like using a VPN to avoid leaving your data exposed.

Minimizing Data Collection by Businesses

Many retailers, restaurants, and other businesses now track customer data through loyalty programs, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other methods. To minimize unnecessary data gathering:

Avoid connecting to in-store Wi-Fi networks when shopping.

Pay with cash instead of credit/debit cards to limit data collection.
Opt out of loyalty programs by emailing the company or adjusting account settings.
Use pseudonyms and fake phone numbers when asked for personal information.

Read terms and conditions carefully before signing up for memberships or discounts.
Patronize smaller businesses who tend to collect less customer data.

While avoiding commercial data gathering entirely is tough, following these tips can help minimize exposure of your personal information.

Securing Your Home Network

Your Wi-Fi router controls and directs all traffic on your home network. Follow these tips to create a safer, more private network:

Change the default router admin password to prevent remote access.
Disable remote management and SSH/Telnet capabilities.

Use WPA3 encryption if your router supports it, or WPA2 otherwise.
Hide your network name from broadcasting by disabling SSID broadcast.
Use MAC address filtering to blacklist devices from connecting.

Set up a guest network for visitors separate from your main network.

Additionally, position your router in a central location, update its firmware regularly, and replace the router if it’s more than 3-5 years old.

Conclusion

Privacy controls are available on most devices and services – you just need to dig a little to uncover them. Take time to regularly review settings and tweak privacy preferences as your needs change. Enable security features like two-factor authentication on important accounts.

And don’t forget to configure your router, browsers, apps, social platforms, and other everyday technologies with privacy front of mind. Paying attention to privacy settings allows you to get the most from your devices while controlling how much of your personal data is shared with companies.