Every iPhone owner should be using these privacy settings – but only ONE is essential

The Sun

8 hours ago

DATA is one of the most valuable assets in today's world, and protecting it has become more important than ever.
Apple iPhone owners have a variety of easy ways to keep their data safe, but there's only one method that will guarantee a certain level of online security.
1
Proton VPN
Anyone using an iPhone - or indeed just browsing on the internet - will leave a 'digital footprint' behind them.
Most people realise this is how advertisers can target you with personalised ads and the like, but it's also something that can be exploited by cybercriminals.
Apple has rolled out a series of features in recent years to help users safeguard their online activity, but none can match the overall levels of security offered by a VPN such as ProtonVPN.
Read on to find out more about the privacy features offered to Apple users, and how they compared to installing a VPN on your iPhone.
App Tracking Transparency (ATT)
ATT (App Tracking Transparency) is a tool offered by Apple that gives you more control over your data.
It was first introduced when iOS 14.5 was rolled out in 2021, and is essentially a new requirement for apps to ask for your permission before tracking your activity.
This tracking was previously automatic and allowed apps to collect data about your interests, location, and behaviour.
But now apps must show a pop-up asking if you want to 'Allow Tracking.'
If you choose not to allow it, the app cannot track you: a little victory for user consent.
iCloud Private Relay
iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature for iCloud+ (Apple's premium cloud service) users that protects your browsing in Safari.
It works by hiding your IP address and encrypts your DNS requests so websites and internet providers (ISPs) can't track or profile you.
The first server, run by Apple, hides your DNS request so even Apple doesn't know which sites you want to visit.
The second server, run by a third party, assigns a temporary IP address to mask your real one.
Anyone who knows a little about VPNs will find these encryption techniques familiar - but iCloud Private Relay only works in Safari, Apple's browser.
Scroll down for further information about how the two services differ.
Mail Privacy Protection (MPP)
Thought that everything that happens in your inbox stays in your inbox? Wrong.
Email senders are able to track your activity via your IP address - but MPP hides this, preventing them from keeping tabs on your online behaviour.
It also blocks senders from finding out if and when you've opened their sent email, data which could otherwise be used for marketing purposes.
MPP also preloads email content in a way that protects your data, and ensures that email trackers can't gather up information about you.
By using MPP, you can stop advertisers and marketers from keeping tabs on your email habits and maintain greater control over your privacy.
iCloud Private Relay vs VPN
Both iCloud Private Relay and VPNs work to protect your online activity, but do so differently.
Private Relay only encrypts Safari traffic, while a VPN encrypts all internet activity on your device.
In other words, any app you use is protected by a VPN such as ProtonVPN.
A VPN, on the other hand, encrypts everything, making it a better option for securing your entire connection - especially on public Wi-Fi.
VPNs also allow you to change your virtual location by choosing servers in different countries.
Private Relay only assigns an IP address within your region, so you can't appear to be in another country.
That's not ideal if, for example, you want to watch ITV abroad or watch BBC iPlayer abroad.
For full protection across all apps and browsers, a VPN is the smarter choice.
Why choose Proton VPN?
Proton VPN offers strong privacy features and is based in Switzerland, which has strict data protection laws.
Unlike iCloud Private Relay, Proton VPN encrypts all your online activity, not just Safari traffic.
It also keeps no logs, ensuring users get complete privacy.
Proton provides additional services besides a VPN connection:
Proton Mail encrypts your emails on your device, so even Proton can't read them.
This is more secure than Apple Mail, which doesn't encrypt emails by default.
Proton Drive and Calendar fully encrypt your files and events, unlike iCloud, which only offers partial encryption unless you enable Advanced Data Protection.
Proton Pass is a password manager with advanced security features like two-factor authentication and zero-knowledge encryption.
It works on all devices, not just Apple.
Proton's tools are designed to give you complete privacy and security, making it a great choice for protecting your digital life.
Proton Free vs Proton Plus vs Proton Unlimited
ProtonVPN offers a free service with a basic roster of features, but for added security, it's worth comparing its Plus and Unlimited packages, which start at £3.59 per month.
Unlike the random selection of servers in five countries provided with the free package, the two premium plans grant access to 13,000 servers across more than 120 countries.
Proton Plus includes all the brand's premium features in a single package, which includes the VPN service, 5GB of encrypted cloud storage, a secure password manager and a private inbox.
It's a solid option for those who want streaming support, faster connection speeds and extra security features.
Proton Unlimited offers all that along with a range of advanced features, include 15 different private email inboxes, unlimited email aliases and 500GB of cloud storage.
Apple users should also check out another iPhone app that offers a secret 'privacy report' to let you know if apps are spying through your microphone or camera.