Have you ever casually talked about a product near your phone, only to see ads for it shortly after on social media? Your phone isn’t just listening — it's tracking you. From the apps you download to the phone itself, there are numerous ways that your device can monitor your location and activity.
For business owners in Texas, this goes beyond personal privacy concerns. It’s a matter of protecting sensitive business information from falling into the wrong hands. In today’s digital world, understanding how your phone tracks you can help you take proactive measures to safeguard your business from cyber threats.
In this article, we’ll explain why phone tracking is so dangerous, six ways your phone is tracking you, and what you can do to shut it down.
Why is Phone Tracking Dangerous for Business Owners?
Your phone collects valuable data that internet marketers use to serve targeted ads, but the bigger concern is how cybercriminals can exploit this data. Here are a few reasons why allowing your phone to track you is risky for Texas business owners:
- Privacy Invasion: Apps and websites can collect extensive information about your location and behavior, leading to targeted advertising or even malicious tracking.
- Identity Theft and Fraud: If tracking data falls into the wrong hands, it can be used to gather personal and business-related details, putting you at risk of fraud and unauthorized access.
- Physical Security Risks: Real-time location tracking could expose you to safety threats or allow others to predict your movements, potentially compromising your security.
6 Ways Your Phone is Tracking You – And How to Stop It
- Location Services
Your phone’s GPS tracks your whereabouts, making it easier for businesses to serve you location-based ads. This tracking can also reveal personal movement patterns.
How to Turn It Off:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Toggle off or manage individual app permissions.
- Android: Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions and turn off location tracking for specific apps.
- App Permissions
Many apps ask for access to your contacts, camera, and microphone, allowing them to track your activity. Regularly reviewing these permissions is crucial for safeguarding your privacy.
How to Turn It Off:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security to manage permissions.
- Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions to control what data apps can access.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connections
Your phone constantly searches for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, allowing third parties to track your location through nearby networks.
How to Turn It Off:
- iPhone: Swipe down to toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or go to Settings > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth.
- Android: Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth scanning and disable both.
- Browsing Activity
Web browsers track your search history, feeding you ads and selling your behavior patterns to third parties.
How to Turn It Off:
- iPhone & Android: Use incognito mode in your browser and clear browsing history regularly.
- Ad Tracking
Phones assign you a unique advertising ID, which tracks your behavior across apps and websites.
How to Turn It Off:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and disable app tracking.
- Android: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads and opt out of ad personalization.
- Social Media and Search Engines
Platforms like Facebook and Google track your online interactions to create detailed profiles of your habits.
How to Turn It Off:
- Social Media: Adjust settings within each platform to limit data collection.
- Google: Go to Google Account > Data & Privacy > Web & App Activity to manage tracking.
Why Texas Business Owners Need to Pay Attention
For Texas business owners, limiting phone tracking is about more than personal privacy. The same methods that track your movements can expose your business to risks. Cybercriminals or even competitors could exploit this data to gather insights into your business operations.
By adjusting your privacy settings, you’re not just protecting yourself — you’re also taking steps to secure your business from data breaches, identity theft, and cyber-attacks. In today’s world, cybersecurity is critical to staying competitive.
If you’re concerned about your business’s overall security, don’t wait for a problem to occur. Schedule a FREE Cybersecurity Risk Assessment with our team today. We’ll evaluate your entire network and recommend tailored solutions to keep your business safe. Contact us at 817-803-4603 or click here to get started.
