Have you ever casually mentioned a product or service near your phone and later saw ads for it on social media? If that sounds familiar, there’s a reason: your phone is listening. But it’s not just listening; it’s tracking you, too. And this constant tracking poses a bigger threat than you might think, especially if you’re a small business owner in NYC or Long Island. In today’s article, we’re breaking down the top ways your phone tracks you and, more importantly, how you can stop it to better protect your privacy and your business.

At Need Tech Inc, we know privacy and cybersecurity go hand-in-hand. Whether you’re in finance, retail, or hospitality, managing your own IT security and privacy is critical. Here’s what you need to know about how your phone tracks you and why securing your business privacy matters in today’s digital world.

Why Is Phone Tracking Dangerous?

Your location and behavioral data are valuable not just to marketers but to cybercriminals who view it as an entry point. Here’s why small business owners in NYC and Long Island should be cautious about device tracking:

1- Privacy Invasion
App and device tracking gives third parties extensive insights into your movements and behaviors. This information can be used for data harvesting, targeted advertising, and even malicious tracking. For a small business, this can lead to unwanted exposure of sensitive information.

2- Identity Theft and Fraud
If hackers gain access to your phone’s tracking data, they could use it to steal personal and business information, leading to identity theft or financial fraud. Securing both your personal data and your business’s IT security is vital in preventing unauthorized access.

3- Physical Security Risks
Tracking data can be used by criminals to learn your routines, which could compromise your safety or expose your business’s operational patterns. This is a real risk, especially for NYC and Long Island businesses with high-traffic, customer-facing locations.

Six Ways Your Phone Tracks You (and How to Shut It Down for Better Cybersecurity)

Your phone constantly collects data, and each method presents potential risks. Here’s how your phone tracks you and how to disable these features to protect your privacy and improve your business’s IT security:

1- Location Services
GPS and “Frequent Locations” tracking reveal your daily movements. This can be convenient, but it’s a cybersecurity risk.

How to Turn It Off:

iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Toggle off or manage individual app permissions. For more control, select Significant Locations to disable location tracking.

Android: Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions and disable tracking for specific apps or turn off location history.

2- App Permissions
Many apps request access to contacts, photos, and even your microphone. These permissions can track your activity, increasing the risk of data exposure.

How to Turn It Off:

iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security and review categories like Camera and Microphone.

Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions to adjust which apps have access to sensitive data.

3- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connections
Constant scanning for connections can allow networks to pinpoint your location.

How to Turn It Off:

iPhone: Toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from your Control Center or go to Settings for full control.

Android: Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth to prevent continuous scanning.

4- Browsing Activity
Browsers and apps monitor your search history and website visits, creating behavioral profiles that can pose risks.

How to Turn It Off:

Use private browsing modes or go to your browser settings (e.g., Chrome Settings > Privacy & Security) to turn off Web & App Activity.

5- Ad Tracking
Phones assign an advertising ID, enabling apps to track you across various platforms.

How to Turn It Off:

iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. Disable tracking requests and personalized ads.

Android: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads and choose to opt out of ad personalization.

6- Social Media and Search Engines
Platforms like Facebook and Google collect data to serve ads, track your location, and monitor online activity.

How to Turn It Off:

Adjust privacy settings on each platform. In Google, go to Account > Data & Privacy > Web & App Activity to limit tracking.

Why Privacy Protection Matters for NYC and Long Island Business Owners

As a business owner, keeping personal and business data secure is critical to protecting your brand and client relationships. If your phone is tracking your activities, hackers, cybercriminals, and even competitors could use this data to gather information about your operations, customer interactions, and confidential communications. Implementing strong IT support and managed IT services can make a difference in securing your business against these threats.

When you take proactive steps to limit phone tracking, you’re not just safeguarding your personal privacy – you’re also boosting your business’s cybersecurity posture. Today, cybersecurity is as much a part of business strategy as it is a technical measure. By staying vigilant, you can safeguard your business’s data, reputation, and customer trust.

If you’re concerned about your business’s security and privacy, don’t wait for a problem to occur. Schedule a FREE Security Risk Assessment with Need Tech Inc today, and let’s ensure your network is protected from top to bottom. Our experts specialize in managed IT services and IT support for NYC and Long Island businesses, and we’ll identify any vulnerabilities while recommending custom solutions to keep your business secure. Click here or call 718-412-9196 to get started.