We talked Internet Privacy and Safety with Our leading Cybersecurity expert. 

We chatted about Alexa and Facebook, Apple and Android Apps and our smartphones and how they are listening and following and frankly, getting to know way too much about all of us. Listen to the Podcast and you will hear our Expert talk about how he thinks the idea of using Alexa is "hysterical"  Wondering who would ever risk their privacy in such an outright way . . .

Bryan Neumeister, head of USA Forensic, helps law enforcement, government agencies and the legal system.  He reveals just how much he can access, from erased information on cell phones, laptops and wired and wireless devices. Things like your bank accounts, exactly where you've been, the passwords to all your accounts, every photo you've ever taken-when and where and so much more.

THE Top 20 Internet and Online Privacy Tips

If you're seeking privacy with your technology, listen to the wealth of information in the podcast at the end of this guide--But First--

Protect Yourself from Facial Recognition and Camera Hacks

• Prevent Cameras on Computers and Phones From Watching you When You Don't Want Them To- SO Not Cool.  Block/Cover Computer Camera's and Your Selfie Camera. There are Computer Camera Covers and Smartphone Camera Covers

• Always Use Own USB Charging Port and Cord. The FBI Warns  that Public Charging Stations- Can Put Spyware and Malware on Your Device.

Bad Actors can install firmware in those ports that can in turn install spyware that can do things like record everything you type to download your data or add malware that can wreak havoc on your devices according to the FBI.

And unfortunately, there are also cords and cables available on "Spy" and "Detective" sites sell that look like standard charging cables buy also have spyware capability.  It's best to use your own cords and your own USB charging cube or USB charging port.

• Be mindful of "Smart Devices" that are always listening

• Log in to Amazon and Apple to erase your data.  Log in to irobot.com to opt out of having your floor plan stored on their Clean Map from Rhoomba.  DO a RESET by holding down all three Cleaning Buttons at once for 15 seconds, when you'll hear tone.
  

  Can I Delete Info That's Been Collected?

  Yes, iRobot claims it will delete any data that has been collected upon request, but you have to contact the company directly for that. For assistance with that—or any of the options above—contact the company’s customer support site.

• AI really is not so Artificial.--When you use Siri or Apple HomePod or Google Home or Alexa--your utterances are RECORDED.  That's the key.  DISABLE Recordings going to Amazon.

• AMAZON ALEXA: Go To Privacy Settings on the Amazon Echo App and Opt Out of Amazon Using Your Voice Recordings. Note: Even if they are not "used" utterances are most likely still recorded.

• SIRI FROM APPLE: To opt out of Siri recordings and have them erased,  Siri MUST BE TURNED OFF or DISABLED with a 2 step process.  Apple tells us in their privacy policy that your voice input data may be retained for period of time to improve Siri, Dictation and other Apple products and services.  This "Data" includes Audio Files--aka Recordings of What You Say to Siri! Thankfully, Apple now also gives you the option of erasing your Siri recordings that are less than 6 months old. In order to stop these recordings and have Apple delete the old data , follow these 4 steps

1. First, Turn Siri Off Open Settings > Siri & Search, then slide the Listen for “Hey Siri” and "Press Home or Side Button for Siri" switches to “off”.

2. While you're at it, turn off Siri Suggestions.   That way, the stuff you search with your iPhone is not retained by Apple either.

3. Delete saved recordings and dictations. Click on "Siri & Dictation History" and then delete. 

4. Next turn off Dictation, Open Settings > General > Keyboard, then slide the Enable Dictation switch to “off”. 

There you have it! Now your safe from Siri and any saved recordings. 

• Know which Apps are accessing your Microphone:(another great reason to have your phone in a Faraday) On an iPhone under Setting > click Privacy >under Privacy> click Microphone, here you’ll see a list of the apps you have that want to access your mic. Toggle to disable.

Check your Cellphone Settings for other privacy issues

•  Review which apps you've installed on your phone have camera and microphone access, know your location, auto-join settings, and more. Find more settings to check and instructions on how to change them for iOS / Android here

Limit Location Sharing

•   Does everyone or anyone need to know where you are?   For iPhone: Settings>Privacy>Location Services - You can turn it off or scroll through every app and decide which ones need your location.  Be extra careful-Turn on Location Services: and toggle off every app option and be very intentional about the Apps that get your Precise Location.  An option i0s 15 update allowed in 2021.  For Android: Go to Settings>Location Toggle it Off  You also have the option to allow individual apps--like Google and Google maps permissions.  We recommend never giving Google any of your information.
• Turning off Location is Step 1. Putting Your Phone In A Faraday Bag is BEST That's because your location can be tracked by many of the new"tools" that are built into smartphones.  Things like accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes do things like track various phone movements: how fast, how it rotates, if it's vertical or horizontal.  Savvy App developers can now use these sensors to track as well. And then there's GPS
• COMPLETELY BLOCK YOUR LOCATION If Your Phone is With You(Is It Ever Not?) You may want to consider a  Faraday Bag to prevent your cell phone provider, apps or any nasty tracker from knowing your location and intercepting data.  A quality Faraday Bag stops  radio frequency signals and wireless signals from powering your device and your phone's GPS from making contact with GPS satellites

See our Entire Faraday Bag Collection!

Review All APP Permissions With Every Update

• Every time you update your phone's operating system, please review each App individually to see if permissions automatically change with an update.  I've seen this happen often, but in 2022 people became very concerned and noticed Precise Location had been automatically toggled on with any App they had given Location permission to.   You're in charge!  I think the  most important privacy permissions are:
• Location which includes with many Apps, Precise Location.
• Camera.  Make sure only Apps that Need To Use Your Camera Use Them ONLY when you're using the App
• Photos- Only allow Selected photos for an App that actually needs them
• Microphone.  Some Apps that don't even really need the microphone on even ask for Permission!
• Background App Refresh. This is one that get automatically turned on a lot.  It's a privacy issue because it allows Apps to "run" or be "On" with all the permissions you've given them, even when you're not using them!

Hide Your IP Address And Your Location ONLINE

• Does the Website you're visiting really need to know your location or your IP address? Browse anonymously and unblock websites when you're traveling internationally with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). There's a bunch of options out there, we like several including Express VPN-which has a solid reputation or my favorite and the one I use, Proton VPN

Be Particularly Careful With Passwords

• Use solid passwords and change them often- every 90 days at least! Cyber experts now recommend that they be no shorter than 17 characters and paraphrases or sentences are best. 
• "Password1234" isn't a great password. Same goes for your birthday, kids birthdays, pet names or your address.  Those are so easily guessed and make sure that each site you visit gets a different password.  It's a lot to remember, yes. We think writing them down and keeping them in a safe place is better than a One Password or password savers online. But- those password storage services or generators are are much better than using the same password over and over again!

•  Password Validation or Security Challenges- ahh those need special attention- one wrong move here and everyone knows all your answers- Our Password Guide favors a little dishonesty when it comes to this information

Use an Encrypted Messaging Service And Email Platform

• Recently Apple Announced that FaceTime had a Bug that allowed users to unknowingly be seen and heard after the call was completed(Gasp!) Facebook's Messenger has had similar issues. Prevent Your Calls And Texts from Being Intercepted by Stingray and other eavesdropping technology by using apps with end to end encryption for privacy. We like the FREE  Signal
  

•  Most people have no idea- Google vault is saving every word you type- even the drafts of emails,even the ones you delete! !For private and secure email, try this fully encrypted email based in Switzerland: For IOS, Android and computers: Protonmail

• Interested in knowing who might be reading those un-sent, but well-written(!) emails?  Check our story on Google Vault 
• Totally over Gmail saving everything you type?  I'm now using Protonmail

We think these cute Password Books are a great idea

Log out and Sign off

•   Especially if it's a site you don't want someone getting into either from your computer or remotely.  Logging out seals your data off-but in some cases information could still be cached in your browser, so the extra step is to close the browser as well- And for those of you like me, super intense about privacy,  you may also want to clear the cookies and the cache.  It takes a moment, but I feel so good about stopping a bit of the tracking.

 Be Stealth and Mysterious. It's so much more interesting darling!

• When signing up for a new App, social media account, or when naming your device- be mindful! Does that app really need to know your real name and real information? If not use a fake name or alias! Have FUN with it, use a fun name like Diving Queen or Adventure Seeker. Using an alias when asked for your personal information allows you to protect yourself and your information. You can provide a fake name, switch you gender, a fake email address, and more. This means that although companies may still access your data and location information, at least they won't be able to connect the dots to know your REAL name, address, birthday, your kid's names, and more. YAY! That make us feel so much safer. Also, if you don't regularly use an app just delete it! 
• When you and your phone walk into a coffee shop or any public venue--your phone can tell everyone who you are: YOUR Phone's NAME (typically your name) appears as Hotspot or as someone to Air Drop: So Change it. Touch Settings>General>About>Name. Then, type in your new name--Video and More 
• Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn all think you're fascinating and they want to know oh so much about You. Check privacy settings on your social media accounts We have the Ultimate Guides to Facebook Privacy Settings and Instagram Privacy Settings
• Your Apps Want To Get To Know YOU!  To avoid being tracked and "advertised to," disable apps that you're not using and enable them when you need them.
• When in doubt, try using the new iPhone app Privacy Pro SmartVPN. This app detects and blocks location tracking bugs that are placed on your phone by other apps. You are able to see in real-time the trackers that are trying to track your location, collect your phone number, email, and online activity. This is great because your devices load THOUSANDS of HTTP and DNS connections, these are not secure. Meaning that your information can be gathered while these pages are loading. Privacy Pro SmartVPN allows you to stop this! 

Protect Your Stuff

•  Do You Use an Electronic Key for Your Apartment or Car? It's really quite unbelievable -but some people are hacking the codes and breaking into cars and homes-- Check This Out 

Keep Google Off Your Computer and Smartphone

• Try a more private Search engine, one that even lets you browse

  anonymously perhaps?  We love love Startpage.  You can add it to your phone's home screen to make it super easy to access private searching.

•  If you care about privacy: Keep Google off your phone! Other Excellent Privacy ideas here

And one last Tech Wellness Health Tip: Our Exclusive Safe and Comfortable Rose Gold Safertech Airtube Headphones.

No EMF Radiation!

For more detail and for more online privacy information, listen to the full podcast of our discussion with Bryan here.  And we have the fun and interesting transcript posted along with it too.

References:  Facebook Bug 

Resources**

ExpressVPN

Malwarebytes OR SuperAnti-Spyware.

Proton mail

Signal