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Smartphone Checklist.md

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Privacy & Security Checklist (Smartphone)

Settings Changes

  1. Disable playstore trackings:

    • Playstore > Settings > General > App install optimization

  2. Optimize default privacy settings:
    Be careful of words like suggestion, recommendation, personalization and optimization.

    ➿ Settings > Privacy

    1. Enable Limit Ad Tracking
    2. Reset Device ID
    3. Disable User experience program, personalized ads & recommendations, usage & diagnostic reports and feedbacks.

    ➿ Settings > [search key term]

    1. Disable Unknown source installation for all {except for appstores like F-droid, Aurora, etc.}
    2. Disable Personalized search and all under Personalize using shared data

  3. Restrict Wifi/ Mobile Data:

    • Wifi > Advanced Settings > disable Wifi scanning
    • Disable internet access for every app possible.
      ➿ Settings > Data > Network Permission > Disable it based on use
      ➿ Settings > [search] Data Usage > Disable it based on use

  4. Disabling background data permission:
    Disable background data for all user installed (3rd party) apps and most of the system apps (Camera, Calculator, Radio, etc).
    ➿ Settings > [search] Data Usage > Disable it for each app
    💻 Disable_BG_Data.bat

    • Some messaging apps (except Whatsapp) need it for notification.
    • Enable it for App-stores and Cloud storage/backup apps

    💯 Highly advised for Social Media and Banking Apps
    ⚠️ Warning : Be careful with System Apps

  5. Disable location and timestamp info in camera app. Camera > Settings > disable....

  6. Remove suspicious permissions:
    Suspicious permissions are based on the functionality of app.
    Ex- Calculator app function is to do mathematical calculations, hence it doesn't need any permissions like Camera access, Microphone, Location, contacts, read sms, storage etc.; but a messenger app (Signal/Telegram, etc) will need these permissions.

    One should check all permissions and which app have access. Its best if you check all, but Camera, Microphone and Location are 3 most vulnerable of all.

    ➿ Settings > Permission Manager > Microphone
    ➿ Settings > [search] Special App Access

  7. Change DNS provider to one of the below:

    • dns.adguard.com
    • 1.1.1.1
    • 9.9.9.9

  8. Uninstall Bloatwares (Unnecessary pre-installed apps) and unused apps.
    💻 Debloaters

Using Privacy-focused Apps

  1. Use secure browsers

    • General Use :
      • Brave Browser
      • FireFox
      • Bromite
    • For shared/unknown links (Set as Default):
      • Brave Browser Nightly
      • Privacy Browser
      • Firefox Focus

    Brave browser clears url tracking parameters by default.

  2. Use secure Search Engines

    • Brave
    • Startpage
    • Qwant
    • DuckDuckGo

  3. Before sharing any link, use url cleaners to remove tracking info.

  4. Use Tools to monitor Ads/Trackers/Network/Accessibilty

  5. Use open source/ better alternatives of App

    1. App Store

      Fossify Apps : All general purpose apps (like gallery, contact, dialer, calculator, etc.) are available here. Pro versions are availble for free in F-droid store.

    2. SMS Messenger

    3. Private messengers

    4. Private Email Clients

    5. Music Player

    6. Media Player

    7. Youtube

      • Youtube Vanced (... de-supported as of 2022)
      • NewPipe
      • Invidious
      • via Brave Browser
      • Don't use youtube at all {try Odysee}

  6. Use PWA or Lite version of apps (if available):
    PWAs and Lite Apps use less internet data and mobile storage.

    • Available Lite apps

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
      • Telegram

    • Available PWAs

      • All social media
      • Youtube
      • Starbucks
      • Lenskart
      • Myntra/ Jabong