Many of us are more worried about security
related to our desktops and laptops than our phones. But we should
understand that unlike our computers, our smartphones carry personal
data such as images, messages, emails and financial details.
Protecting your Android device takes more than a simple slide lock.
Many of us are more worried about
security related to our desktops and laptops than our phones. But we
should understand that unlike our computers, our smartphones carry
personal data such as images, messages, emails and financial details.
In more simplified words, the threats that once were limited to desktops and laptops are now targeting Android phones.
Below are some methods to keep your Android phone safe with their built-in options.
Screen Lock
Every smartphone has this option. It’s
one of the easiest ways of setting up a screen lock when it comes to
protecting your Android phone. There are many options for setting up a
lock screen varying from PIN locks, pattern locks, passwords, and if you
have the hardware on your device, facial recognition, fingerprint
scanning, iris scanning, and even NFC unlocking.
To set it up, go to Settings, then Security and from there, you will see the options for Lock Screen.
Remote Data Deletion
Many people use third-party software or
even antiviruses for this feature, but what they don’t realise is that
Android comes with its default set of tools to make the remote data wipe
happen. If you drop your phone or leave it in a bar, you can use Android Device Manager
to monitor your phone’s location. It allows you to ring the phone, lock
it and even wipe its data if you have no option of recovering the
phone.
To set it up, go to Settings, hover down to Google, search for Security and then select Android Device Manager. From there select Remotely Locate Device and also toggle Allow Remote Lock and Erase.
Unknown Sources
Most of us who do not want to buy
applications from Android’s official Google Play Store tend to go for
other options. However, to get pirated options, we have to permit our
Android devices to install the content from unknown sources. This not
only makes our phone prone to piracy but also malicious applications.
Therefore, if you have this option
activated, we recommend toggling it off, making it a habit of switching
if off as soon as you are done installing a 3rd party application. To switch off ‘Unknown Source’ go to Settings then to Security and you will find Unknown Sources under Device Administration. Toggle it off.
Built-In Scanning Options
Why go for a third-party application
when everything is available to you in the operating system’s security
options? The operating system can scan and verify the applications that
you installed on your device by linking itself with its security servers
back at Google; if it finds something harmful, the device will warn you
and delete the malicious application.
To use this awesome feature, hit Settings then go to Google. From there enter Security, then go to Verify Apps, and toggle on both Scan Device for Security Threats and Improve Harmful App Detection.
System Updates
Like any other program, Android too has
flaws and vulnerabilities, and cyber criminals are trying to exploit
them for malicious purposes.
However, whenever a hacker finds a
weakness or whenever a cyber security expert informs Google about a
vulnerability discovered, Google releases an update for its users so
that those vulnerabilities can be patched. Keeping this in mind, it is
important to always be on a lookout for updates.
Check for them via Settings, then About Phone. From there go to System Updates and hit Check for Update.
App Permissions
One of the benefits of downloading
applications from Google Play Store for Android versions before Nougat,
is that once you install the software it offers you what the application
can and cannot use. For instance, if an application is only there for
reading, and it asks permission for activating your microphone and
camera, you can deny the software the permissions and delete the app.
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