Compared to other companies, users of Apple products are usually better protected from online threats. Every year, Apple carries out large-scale evaluation and security projects to improve iOS, putting the privacy of its customers in the primary place. The default Safari browser has a number of privacy settings that provide additional protection for user data.
Internet providers, websites and advertising companies are monitoring the activity of millions of Internet users. If you do not take any measures, then there is a high risk for the loss of personal data or the accidental installation of malware.
When using the Safari browser, privacy settings are already configured by default, but there are six settings that you can further modify to improve your security.
In this article, we will talk about these six Safari privacy settings which will reliably protect your personal data.
1. Set a Strong Password on Your iPhone
The easiest, but at the same time, the most effective way to improve the protection of your own data is to set a complex password on your iPhone. It is best of all if it is a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols and will be requested immediately after locking the screen – immediately and not later.
In cases where the password is unreliable or completely absent, it is highly likely that a curious person will be able to take possession of personal data or change privacy settings. A strong password will protect your iPhone and all sensitive data from outside interference from intruders.
2. Configure Siri
Working even on a locked screen, Siri can tell a stranger many of your secrets, since by default you can also call Siri from the lock screen by holding the Home button. Thus, an attacker can even find out some information from a locked smartphone. Remove the possibility of its activation from the lock screen and at the command “Hey Siri”.
In addition, for users who are worried about their privacy, you should know that Siri also remembers some information about your preferences. In order not to share this information with her, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings menu
- Choose Safari
- In the Siri and Search menu, disable the “Search & Siri Suggestions” option.
3. DuckDuckGo Default Search Engine
Search engines are an integral part of protecting the personal data of users. Many of the search engines carefully monitor user actions. For example, Google collects and monitors user data. The best solution is to set the default anonymous search engine as DuckDuckGo in Safari.
DuckDuckGo is an open source search engine that has original search algorithms and provides users with high confidentiality of personal data. We can talk about the quality and convenience of the new DuckDuckGo search engine for a very long time, but to take advantage of all its awesomeness, you need to experience it for yourself.
To set DuckDuckGo by default in Safari, do the following:
- Go to the “Settings” menu
- Click Safari
- Among the search engines, select DuckDuckGo
4. Autofill
If you’re automatically substituting your logins and passwords on different sites, Safari once again endangers this data. If you lose your iPhone or transfer it to another person, subject to gaining access to the browser, they will be able to log into all the websites you visit without any problems. This feature potentially poses a security risk to your data, so it is recommended that you disable it.
Disable autocomplete for Safari:
- Go to Settings
- Choose Safari
- Select the AutoFill tab and disable the function
5. Block Pop-ups
Pop-ups on websites present a potential threat, since closing them takes a lot of time and in some cases can send you to the websites of cybercriminals. Fortunately, Apple developers have implemented a special mechanism in Safari to block all Pop-ups.
Follow these steps to enable the pop-up blocker:
- Open settings
- Choose Safari
- Activate the Pop-ups Blocker
6. Fraud Website Warning
When using Safari, the “Fraudulent Websites” option is enabled by default. However, if you disable this function, the browser session will become less secure, and the user runs the risk of being exposed to a malicious web resource. In this way, Safari warns users when they open websites that are suspected of phishing.
We also recommend some more useful tips for additional privacy in Safari:
- Disable cookies
- Activate the function “Prevent Cross Site Tracking”
- Use the extension to block ads
- Deny websites access to personal information
Armed with this additional info, your internet experience on your iPhone is bound to be less hazardous and ultimately more enjoyable.
