Android is a secure system to some extent. By allowing many customizations and adjustments by the user, it becomes very easy to stick your feet in the hands and have serious security problems with Google’s robot. So we’ve put together some tips that can help you not have headaches if you adopt some practices.
10 Tips To Keep Your Android Phone Safe
1. Use password managers
Apps like LastPass and 1Password, which are free and work on any device, help manage your passwords. All your credentials are protected by a master password and synchronization occurs between all your devices. This prevents saving passwords in the browser or leaving them in site autocompletion, for example.
2. Enable 2-step verification
As with the password manager, it is important to enable the 2-step verification feature for all services that make it available. This will reduce the chances that someone will access your account, as it will require confirmation through an app or a code sent to your mobile number. It is simple and efficient.
3. Affordable Connectivity Program
Are you a US resident? Here is a good news for you. Under this federal government program, eligible consumers can save up to $30/month on their wireless bills. To check your eligibility to get an ACP benefit phone, just click on the mentioned link.
4. Avoid installing apps from outside the Google App Store
I know we’ve already taught you how to install apps from outside the store, but we always warn you: installing apps manually is a risky procedure that exposes Android software not inspected by Google and may be stuffed with malware. No matter if it’s an alternative store or the apt file of Fortine, there will always be smartmen to take advantage of the feature. When in doubt, avoid apps outside of Google Play.
5. Do not neglect the screen lock
Of screen lock modes, PIN is one of the most used and neglected, because users use simple passwords like “1234” or the date of birth. Not only you avoid this, but also combine advanced (digital, face recognition, iris-reading) and screen-unlock modes with other, more secure, passwords or patterns.
6. Do not send sensitive data over public Wi-Fi networks
Public Wi-Fi networks are, on the whole, unsafe. There is always the possibility of eyebolts in the transmitted data traffic. It is not advisable to have sensitive conversations or exchange really sensitive data on those networks. If so, disable Wi-Fi and make the entire switch over the mobile data network.
7. Keep your Android always up-to-date
As far as possible and depending on what your mobile phone manufacturer allows, always try to keep Android up to date with the latest operating system versions and security patches. To check for available patches, open the “Settings” app, tap “Security” and then “Security update.”
8. Keep your apps up to date
Like Android, it’s important to keep your apps up-to-date to prevent bugs and flaws from being exploited on your smartphone. When you always check for updates to the Google Play Store app, you ensure that you’re always running applications with the latest security patches installed, and it minimizes problems. To check, go to the Google Play Store menu> “My apps and games”> “Update all”.
9. Enable remote locking and formatting
If you have lost your Android or it has been stolen, you can block it or in extreme cases erase all its content. Learn how to do it if you need to.
- Visit the Find My Device website and select your mobile;
- If it appears active, click “Protect Device” to lock it and confirm the information;
- If recovery is impossible, click on “Clear Device” after protecting it and confirm the information.
10. Always have an available VPN
If you do not want to be crawled, using VPNs is an option. Applications masquerade your connection and redirect your traffic through multiple network addresses, so that hackers, websites and inquisitors do not know where in the world you are. Just be careful with certain VPN apps, as some are not as good-looking as they seem.
11. Never click on suspicious links
Do not click suspicious links sent through emails and SMS or WhatsApp messages, which you do not know the source. At the same time, avoid sites that seem too suspicious, like those that offer services or offers not to be missed. This eliminates the risk of becoming a target for SPAM messages, crawlers, and other malware.