Safer Internet: Connection: Turn Off Unnecessary Services

Summary | Sys. Prefs | Login Screen | Find My ... |
Location | Camera, etc. | Bluetooth | Notifications | Speech |
References: General | Android | Bluetooth | Camera | iOS | Location |
macOS | Microphone | Notifications | Screens | Video | Windows

Summary

[1] Review System Preferences

  • Besides exploring every option under Preferences / Settings, you can use Search
  • macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy : Location Services, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Accessibility, Diagnostics & Usage [screenshot]
  • macOS: System Preferences > Sharing : Screen, Files, Printer, Remote, Internet, Bluetooth [screenshot]
  • macOS: System Preferences > Extensions : All, Actions, Finder, Photos Editing, Share Menu, Today
  • iOS: Settings > Privacy : (many) [screenshot]
  • iOS: Settings > General > Restrictions: (many)
  • Windows: (File Sharing) {Figure 7. TCYOP-4: 72; TCYOP-3: 59}

[1] Add Contact Info to Login ('Lock') Screen

  • macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General (lock message) [screenshot]
  • iphoneiPhone: Health > Medical ID: Medical Conditions, Spouse, Child, Blood Type, Organ Donor
  • result: "Emergency" link on lock screen
  • iOS: add a message to your Lock Screen by overlaying text* on an image
  • You can also set this (or a different) image as your Home Screen (background for app icons).
  • iOS: Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper > Camera Roll > [screenshot]
  • ... (tap lock image) > (iPhone:Set) > Set Lock Screen
  • ... (tap home image) > (iPhone:Set) > Set Home Screen
  • *[2] Use an image app on desktop or iOS to add text to an image; tradeoffs: cost, simplicity, flexibility.
  • e.g., use Preview on Mac to create 2 appropriately-sized images: one for use with Home Screen, one with text for Lock Screen
  • macOS: Finder > (select original image) > File > Duplicate; rename with suffix, e.g., 'home'
  • macOS: Preview > File > Open: 'home' image, e.g., my-ipad-screen-home.jpg
  • Preview: use rectangular selection tool to highlight a square area corresponding to device's smaller dimension
  • e.g., iPad Air: 2048x2048, iPhone 7: 750x750; square wallpaper will work with both portrait and landscape screen orientations
  • macOS: Preview > Tools > Crop; File > Save
  • macOS: Finder > (select 'home' image) > File > Duplicate; rename with suffix, e.g., 'lock'
  • macOS: Preview > File > Open: 'lock' image, e.g., my-ipad-screen-lock.jpg
  • macOS: Preview > Tools > Annotate > Text
  • add text, e.g., name, email, phone: yours(iPad), spouse(iPhone); customize font, size, etc.
  • macOS: Preview > File > Save
  • transfer lock (& home) image file(s) to Photos (iOS) via AirPlay, Messages, Mail, ...
  • set wallpaper(s) -- per earlier instructions
  • iOS: Settings > Control Center > Access on Lock Screen If on, someone would be able to enable Airplane Mode on a lost/stolen phone, which would disable Find My iPhone
  • iOS: Settings > Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) > Allow access when locked: Notifications, Siri, Wallet, etc. [screenshot]

[1] Enable Find My iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows

  • To use: login to iCloud account
  • macOS: System Preferences > iCloud > Find My Mac [screenshot]
  • iOS: Settings > (my acct) > iCloud > Find My iPad/iPhone [screenshot]
  • [2] iOS: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Status Bar Icon: off If your phone is lost/stolen, and you're tracking it, it's better not to advertise it, though this turns off for all location services?
  • Windows: Windows Settings > Update & Security > Find my Device
  • Windows iCloud setup for iOS devices

[1] Control Access to your Location

  • Before
  • And: Settings > Security & Location > Location > App-Level Permissions: on, off
  • macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy : Location Services [screenshot]
  • macOS: ... Location Services > System Services > Details > Show location icon in menu bar when System Services request your location
  • macOS: Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Website use of Location Services [screenshot]
  • macOS: Firefox -- none?
  • macOS: Chrome > Preferences > Advanced Settings > Privacy > Content Settings > Location
  • iOS: Settings > Privacy : Location Services: Share My Location; Apps; System Services choices: Never, Always, While Using [screenshot]
  • iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud > Share My Location
  • After: allow/deny for specific web sites that request access on an adhoc basis

[1] Control Access to your Computer, Keyboard, Camera, Microphone, Screen

  • An entrepreneur has made a device that can prevent the NSA from spying on you by blocking your laptop's camera. This new high-tech device is...
  • Avoid snooping on your keyboard and screen over your shoulder in public places; control remote access
  • macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Accessibility > Allow apps to control your computer [screenshot]
  • macOS: System Preferences > Sharing > Screen Sharing; Remote Login [screenshot]
  • macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Camera
    older versions: use a piece of cardboard & tape except for specific apps!
  • macOS: Chrome > Preferences > Advanced Settings > Privacy > Content Settings > Mouse cursor; Media (camera, microphone)
  • iOS: Settings > Privacy > Microphone, Camera, Motion [screenshot]
  • iOS: Settings > Safari > Camera & Microphone Access
  • Windows: Windows Settings > System > Remote Desktop

[1] Limit Access to Bluetooth

  • a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances between "paired" devices, e.g., for keyboard, headset, AirDrop (file sharing), share Internet connection
  • range: 30-300' depending on device power Class and environmental factors
  • most modern devices and implementations support encryption
  • however, if you enable only temporarily when you need it, your device will be more secure, use less power, etc.
  • macOS: System Preferences > Bluetooth > Turn Bluetooth: On/Off [screenshot]
  • iOS: [swipe up] > AirPlay
  • iOS: General > AirDrop: Contacts Only -- or Receiving Off; if Everyone then just temporarily
  • iOS: Settings > Bluetooth: On/Off [screenshot] -- note: disabling via iOS11 Control Center does not completely turn off!

[2] Control System and App Notifications

  • Messages that appear in the 'Notification Center' can be useful vs. annoying
  • risk if someone sees screen, e.g., verification codes via SMS; allow/deny for web sites that request access?
  • macOS: System Preferences > Notifications [screenshot]
  • macOS: Safari > Preferences > Websites > Notifications: Allow websites to ask for permission to send push notifications
  • macOS: Chrome > Preferences > Advanced Settings > Privacy > Content Settings > Notifications
  • iOS: Settings > Notifications [screenshot]
  • iOS: Settings > Notifications > Show Previews > When Unlocked
  • Windows: Windows Settings > System > Notifications & Actions

[2] Control Sharing of Speech & Analytics Data

  • Collecting data about crashes and usage of services can improve system services and applications
  • Is it anonymized? Read privacy policies
  • iOS: Settings > General > Siri > About Siri and Privacy (read)
  • Dictation online: spoken words are recorded and uploaded to Apple's servers for translation
  • Enhanced (offline) mode more private but requires software install
  • macOS: System Preferences > Dictation & Speech > Dictation > Use Enhanced Dictation
  • iOS: Settings > Privacy > iPad/iPhone Analytics: [none/all] Share iPad Analytics (with Apple), Share With App Developers, Share iCloud Analytics (with Apple)
  • macOS: System Preferences > Security&Privacy > Privacy > Analytics: [select] Share Mac Analytics (with Apple), Share with App Developers, Share iCloud Analytics (with Apple)

References

Android

Bluetooth

Camera

iOS

Location

macOS

Microphone

Notifications

Screens

Video

Windows