Top tips: The 5 settings most people never check—but should

Top tips is a weekly column where we highlight what’s trending in the tech world today and share simple ways to explore these trends. This week, we’re looking at the quiet default settings across devices, browsers, and apps—the ones most of us accept without a second thought but which quietly shape our privacy, security, and peace of mind.

Most of us set up a new device the same way: Click Next, agree to everything, promise ourselves we’ll check the settings later, and move on. Later rarely comes.

Defaults are designed for convenience, not caution. They’re meant to get you started quickly, not necessarily to keep you safe in the long term. While none of these settings are dangerous on their own, leaving them untouched can slowly open doors you didn’t realize were there.

The good news? You don’t need a deep dive or a full reset. Just a few small checks can make a noticeable difference.

Here are five settings worth revisiting this week:

1. App permissions you forgot you granted

Many apps ask for access once—and then quietly keep it forever: access to your location, camera, microphone, contacts, and files. At the time, it made sense. You needed the feature. But months later, the app may still have access long after you stopped using it regularly.

Take a few minutes to review app permissions on your phone or laptop. If an app no longer needs access to something—or you no longer use the app at all—revoke it. Think of it like lending keys to your house. If someone doesn’t visit anymore, they don’t need a copy.

This one small habit reduces unnecessary data exposure without affecting your day-to-day usage.

2. Browser autofill and saved data

Autofill is convenient—until it isn’t. Browsers often store names, addresses, passwords, card details, and even old form entries. While this saves you time, it also means sensitive information is just a click away if someone else uses your device.

Review what your browser is saving. Remove outdated addresses, unused cards, or logins you don’t need anymore. If you’re sharing a device or working on a laptop outside of your home often, this step is especially important.

Convenience is great—but not when it quietly stores more than you intended.

3. Device lock and screen timeout settings

Many people think, “I’ll lock it later,” or trust that no one will touch their device. Yet most accidental access doesn’t come from malice—it comes from moments: a coffee break, a shared workspace, a phone left on a table.

Check how quickly your device locks itself when idle. Shortening the screen timeout by even a minute can prevent accidental access. Pair this with a PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock, and you’ve added a layer of protection that works automatically, with minimal effort from you.

This simple habit has the biggest payoff.

4. Account recovery and backup options

If you ever forget a password or lose access to an account, recovery settings become your safety net. Unfortunately, many of us set them once and never look back.

Check your recovery email addresses, phone numbers, and backup codes. Are they still active? Do you still have access to them? Outdated recovery details can lock you out just as easily as an attacker can.

A quick update now can save you from hours of frustration later.

5. Notification settings that train you to ignore alerts

When everything is urgent, nothing is. Too many notifications—especially security-related ones—condition us to swipe them away without reading them.

Review which apps are allowed to send alerts and which ones truly deserve your attention. Prioritize notifications related to logins, password changes, or account activity. Silence the rest.

The goal isn’t just fewer notifications—it’s meaningful ones. When an alert matters, you should recognize it instantly.

Small habits with lasting impacts

None of these settings requires technical knowledge. None takes more than a few minutes. Yet together, they quietly reduce risks, improve your awareness, and give you more control over your digital life.

Defaults are a starting point—not a decision. Taking time to review them isn’t about fear or perfection. It’s about being intentional with the tools you rely on every day.

This week, open your settings. You might be surprised by what you find—and relieved by how easy it is to fix.