From tracking to blocking creeps, 5 iPhone security settings to change - USA TODAY

Your telephone doesn't travel with a idiosyncratic manual. Sure, you tin find online guides from Apple oregon Android, but don't stake connected Big Tech telling you the secrets to champion support yourself.

Default settings are often overmuch amended for the companies down them than for you. Tap oregon click for 10 default iPhone settings that request your attention.

Some features get much attraction than others, similar the caller mode to instrumentality backmost a text. Tap oregon click to spot what truly happens erstwhile you unsend a text. Spoiler: It’s not rather arsenic sneaky arsenic you think.

Now, drawback your iPhone and I’ll amusement you a fewer changes to marque to support yourself safe.

1. Clear retired the junk texts

Spam calls are blocked comparatively efficaciously astatine the bearer level, but texts are different. If your telephone is inundated with fake shipping notifications and different junk, instrumentality a fewer steps to halt them.

The astir basal and straightforward method to halt spam texts is to artifact the number. Here’s however to artifact a fig successful Messages:

• Tap the name oregon number astatine the apical of a Messages conversation.

• Tap info, past scroll down and pat Block this Caller.

You tin besides spell a measurement further by filtering messages from chartless senders. Texts from anyone not successful your interaction database volition beryllium sent to the Unknown Senders tab successful the Messages list. Here's however to bash it:

• Go to Settings > Messages.

• Turn connected Filter Unknown Senders.

Bonus tip: If you get a connection from an chartless fig identified arsenic spam oregon junk, you tin study it to Apple. In the message, tap Report Junk, past Delete and Report Junk.

What if you get a verification codification you didn’t request? It mightiness beryllium nothing, but it could beryllium a scam. Tap oregon click present for hints you request to instrumentality action.

2. Stop each the tracking

When you spell from 1 website to another, you’re often followed by trackers that cod information connected wherever you’ve been and what you’ve been doing.

Data connected your browsing habits, likes, shares, ads you click, and buying cart is each up for grabs. This info tin beryllium sold to 3rd parties oregon utilized for targeted advertising.

Safari limits third-party cookies and data. The bully quality is this is connected by default, but it’s a bully thought to guarantee you person this enactment turned on. Here’s how:

• Go to Settings > Safari.

• Under Privacy and Security, toggle on Prevent Cross-Site Tracking. If it’s already on, you’re bully to go.

Your computer’s browser is apt packed with trackers. Tap oregon click for an casual mode to hitch retired dozens with a fewer clicks.

3. Block the creep who won’t permission you alone

I get requests for assistance connected my nationalist vigor amusement and podcast each the clip from radical dealing with an ex, an abusive household member, oregon an aged person who can't instrumentality a hint. If you're sick of their calls and texts, artifact them.

Block idiosyncratic via Contacts:

• Open Contacts, past pat the sanction of the interaction you privation to block.

• Tap Block this Caller, past Block Contact.

Block idiosyncratic via the Messages app:

• Open the Messages app and pat a conversation.

• Tap the name, number, oregon profile pic astatine the apical of the screen.

• Tap the info button beneath the contact.

• Scroll down and pat Block this Caller > Block Contact.

Bonus tip: You tin fell oregon artifact your fig from Caller ID. Tap oregon click present for the steps to bash it.

4. Browse privately

The Safari mentation of Incognito mode is called Private Browsing. No, it doesn’t support everything you bash wholly private, but it does person immoderate plusses:

• Your browsing past isn’t saved, and the sites you sojourn aren't shared with your different devices.

• Safari won't retrieve the pages you visit, what you hunt for, oregon your AutoFill information.

Here’s however to unfastened a Private Browsing model connected your iPhone:

• Open Safari connected your iPhone and pat the two squares tabs button successful the lower-right corner.

• If you person galore tabs open, pat (number) Tabs astatine the bottommost of the surface to amusement the Tab Groups list.

• If you person conscionable 1 tab open, pat Start Page astatine the bottommost of the surface to amusement the Tab Groups list.

• Tap Private, past pat Done.

Of course, Private mode isn’t 100% private. Tap oregon click for my 60-second podcast that breaks it down.

5. Lock down your fastener screen

You tin entree a fewer features – widgets, media playback controls, your camera, and the Control Center – from your iPhone’s fastener screen.

You whitethorn privation to alteration what’s accessible from your fastener surface to support your privacy. If you tin spot it, truthful tin anyone other holding your phone.

Here’s however to support things private:

• Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (on an iPhone with Face ID) oregon Touch ID & Passcode (on an iPhone with a Home button).

• Enter your four-digit passcode erstwhile prompted.

• Under the Allow Access When Locked section, reappraisal the options and take which tin beryllium seen connected the fastener screen. Choices see Notification Center, Control Center and more. Turn Notification Center off if you privation to support notifications private.

Keep your tech-know going

My fashionable podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a coagulated 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions similar you from each implicit the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, deed the nexus beneath for a caller episode.

PODCAST PICK: Smugglers connected societal media, Meta meltdown, Facebook privateness tips

Scared of Apple AirTag stalkers? Here's however to sniff retired creeps who are tracking you. Plus, ticker retired for this Transportation Security Administration scam, fell your telephone fig and email connected Facebook, hole your charging issues and wherefore Meta is melting down. Also, smugglers are utilizing Snapchat and TikTok to enlistee Americans into driving migrants from the borderline into the U.S.

Check retired my podcast “Kim Komando Today” connected Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, oregon your favourite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here oregon wherever you get your podcasts. Just hunt for my past name, “Komando.”

Learn astir each the latest exertion connected the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest play vigor speech show. Kim takes calls and dispenses proposal connected today's integer lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privateness and information hacks. For her regular tips, escaped newsletters and more, sojourn her website at Komando.com.

The views and opinions expressed successful this file are the author’s and bash not needfully bespeak those of USA TODAY.