Written by: Rashi Saral
Smartphones are smartly tracking you so, Beware!
With the invention of mobiles, communication is no longer an obstacle around the globe. It is the greatest revolution in the history of technology; dependency on wireless communication becomes a need of contemporary times.
Smart phone becomes an essential multi-tasking device; it has touched variant spheres of life. Online shopping, video calling, rapid transmission of messages, watching movies, the list does not stop here, it goes beyond become possible due to the availability of smart phones. On the contrary, are there only benefits of android phones? The answer to this eminent question is ‘No’, because there are numerous privacy deteriorating concerns associated with smart phones. Let’s dig into detail, what serious security issues can be caused by smart phones?
Downloading Smart Apps leads to leakage of Personal Information
Numerous applications are installed in our mobiles for varying purposes in day-to-day regime. For example game applications, cookery apps, Facebook, and Instagram apps. Have you ever thought they are the biggest threats to our security? ‘No’ because everybody in this world is entirely dependent on these applications; they are immensely enjoying the benefits of these apps.
A technocrat says, “If technology provides you comforts then it takes a lot from you.”
When you download applications from Play store, they track your personal information like location, name, photos in gallery, your contacts, etc. which is quite dangerous to your security. Camera in smart phones capture beautiful photographs; on the other hand, it also identifies the faces in the pictures, and provides all the relevant information to the phone’s company and Google.
Unscrupulous sources can get your personal information through these applications which cause serious threats to your privacy and dignity. Gaming applications like PUBG, candy crush, etc. from the screen’s camera even track your favorite TV programs, and inform the Google for displaying similar ads as of your choice. I know it is quite surprising and jaw-dropping fact.
GPS and severe risks attached to it
GPS stands for Geosynchronous Positioning Satellite; the prominent purpose of this application in smart phones is to find out the route of a particular location. For an instance, if you wish to go from Hauz Khas to Rajiv Chowk via car, turning the GPS ON of your phone, you can easily reach to the destination by following the indicated directions. This is one of the incredible advancements in the sector of communication and technology.
If there are undeniable benefits of using GPS, then a multitude of demerits are also involved. GPS challenges a person’s security to a tremendous level which cannot be ignored.
The application works with an internet, when you turn GPS ON, then a number of malicious apps are downloaded on smart phones. These applications are constantly tracking your route, and try to know your intended destination. This leads to multiple crimes in the cities by providing all the relevant information to the undignified elements.
In fact, uploading locations on Facebook and Instagram provides imperative information to the third party like about your social circle, venue of a particular event, number of people in social gathering, etc. This is a serious concern, and some relevant steps should be taken to curb a leakage of information in order to be safe.
How to stop applications tracking YOU?
Your safety is your prime responsibility; if you use smartphones smartly then definitely you are going to be secure and safe. Now, an indispensable question arises, how can you be secure?
There are number of applications which you download; the best way to ensure privacy is to turn off the location access. In fact, uninstall all the irrelevant apps which are occupying a large space of your smart phones. These applications are accessing your personal details without letting you know, so it’s feasible to delete unwanted applications.
While watching videos on You tube, or other channels, do not click on the ads in between. Try to skip them as they are the potent sources of security threat. Many viruses and unwanted applications can cause a serious harm.
One of the renowned IT entrepreneurs in an interview with Business Connect says,” We cannot avoid smart phones, but we can be vigilant towards our security.”
