We’re in a time where data leaks and scams have become quite common.
In fact, last year alone, a con artist managed to swindle $2 billion from Australians, which is quite a drop from the previous year’s staggering $3.1 billion. This year, scammers have gained access to vast amounts of personal information due to data breaches at Qantas, alongside sensitive medical information from Genea.
Given this situation, it’s crucial for individuals to understand their device privacy settings and utilize them effectively. In a bid to help users stay safe, Apple recently unveiled a significant new feature.
It’s called call screening. Here’s how it works: when you receive a call from a number that’s not in your contacts, your iPhone will prompt the caller to provide their name and the purpose of the call. This information is transcribed and sent to you.
You can then decide whether to inquire further via text or simply hang up. One of the nice aspects of this feature is that if the scammer decides to end the call, you won’t even know it happened.
This might feel a bit odd if you tend to forget to save numbers, but if it’s not your style, you can always disable it.
Android users have had something similar called Call Screen for about a year now, especially on devices like the Google Pixel 9a, integrated through the Google Phone app.
If you’re using an Android and you haven’t checked it out yet, you can find this feature by going to phone settings and adjusting the call protection level.
For iPhone users, this call screening feature will be included in iOS 26, which is set to launch in September. Additionally, it will come on the new iPhone 17 models, but it’s also compatible with all iPhones from 2019 onward, including the iPhone 11 series and SE 2nd generation or later.
Moreover, for those who have iPhones running iOS 18, there are various privacy and security features available.
A standout is the Password app. It’s a password manager that lets you store your passwords effectively, automatically filling them in on websites and apps—so you no longer need to memorize them.
What’s even better is its ability to generate strong passwords, steering you away from using something simplistic like “12345678.” If your username or password ends up in a data breach, the app will notify you and guide you to update the compromised details. It’s a straightforward, helpful tool that handles much of the security responsibility for you.
On the topic of privacy, if someone can glimpse your phone, they might catch sight of your apps, including job listings you might not want to be exposed. However, there’s a way to conceal them.
You can touch and hold the app icon until a menu pops up, then select the app to hide it—using your Face ID for authentication.
This will move the app to a Hidden Apps Folder on your home screen, which exists on all iPhones, without revealing that any apps are hidden.
Protection for stolen devices is another crucial feature for those concerned about theft or unauthorized access to their phones. It’s a simple step to set up a passcode to enhance security under these circumstances. You can find more details on how to do this by navigating through the settings.
When activated, this feature allows for a passcode requirement when your phone is detected away from typical locations, like your home or workplace, helping to protect against unauthorized access, especially to banking or important apps.
And if you’re worried about privacy when using apps and websites, my personal favorite is the Hide My Email option. It generates random, unique email addresses that you can use for sign-ups. This means these addresses aren’t directly linked to you, so if your info is compromised, you can easily revoke them without putting your actual email at risk.
This feature is available on Safari for many sites and apps, though it does require an iCloud subscription that starts at $1.49 a month.
Finally, keeping your operating system updated is essential for device security. It might not be the most exciting task, but it’s effective. Remember, fraudsters have to rely on a mix of luck and persistence, and you have an advantage when you’re equipped with updated security tools.
Using the resources at your disposal to stay safe is vital, especially the features that work quietly in the background to protect you.
