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iPad Privacy Tips: 3 Ways to Protect Your Identity on Your Tablet

By Admin on June 28, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

iPads and tablets in general have become a lightweight substitute for a laptop in many situations. That also means an increased need for digital privacy since they are increasingly full of personal information.

Internet browser history, online shopping and banking, and personal chat messages can all be stored on an iPad and in the wrong hands that information can give away a lot.

Luckily, it doesn't have to be a tradeoff between your iPad and your privacy.

Just follow these 3 tips to keep your digital identity under wraps if your iPad is ever lost or stolen.

1. Get a better password

The iPad comes programmed to allow a four digit password that uses numbers only. That kind of protection won't last for long if your iPad is stolen.

Instead, go into the iPad Settings > General > Passcode Lock and select Disable Simple Passcode. That will allow you to create a longer password that includes both numbers and letters.

The more random and complex the password, the better it will protect your private information.

2. Keep your browser history private

The websites you visit can store a lot of information, especially if you choose to save your passwords on protected sites like Amazon and Mint. If someone gets into your iPad, they can access that information by looking through your browser history.

One quick way to stop this is to enable Private Browsing on Safari which will stop the iPad from saving your browser history. Go to Settings >Safari and enable it.

Don't save passwords for sites that store your financial information, including bank accounts and credit cards since it makes it easier for uninvited users to access that information.

3. Encrypt your information - Black SMS and Private Data/Ben the Bodyguard

If at this point you're asking how we expect you to remember all those passwords if they aren't saved, here's your answer. There are apps available to encrypt data saved on your iPad, including documents that contain passwords and other private information.

Private Data is a free app that password-protects any information that store inside of it. The information saved in the app is encrypted to protect it from hacking.

The more expensive version, Ben the Bodyguard is available for $5 and provides a more interactive and amusing experience while maintaining your privacy.

For an added level of privacy, Black SMS is an app that encrypts chat messages so that your communications stay private. It's available for the iPad for $0.99 in the App Store.

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