Your smartphone is quickly replacing your PC as the primary device where you shop, bank, and store your personal information. That means it’s becoming an attractive target for cybercriminals who want to get their hands on your passwords and private information.
Luckily, with some care and the use of the right tools, you can protect yourself from criminals with plans to hijack your phone or access the sensitive data you keep on it. Here are a few security tips for owners of Android smartphones.
Switch off autofill in your browser settings. This feature, which stores and automatically enters logins and passwords for web sites, can expose you to privacy and security risks. (Image Source: cbsistatic.com)
Keep your software updated
Your operating system and your applications will regularly receive software updates. As annoying as they can be, these updates often address known security vulnerabilities in the software. So be sure to check for regular updates and download them. To save on mobile data costs, update Android and your apps on a Wi-Fi connection.
Lock your screen
Lock your screen behind a pattern, PIN, password, or a fingerprint (if your phone has a biometric reader) to protect your data from a thief and prevent him or her from running up your phone bill.
Turn off cookies and autofill
Switch off autofill in your browser settings. This feature, which stores and automatically enters logins and passwords for web sites, can expose you to privacy and security risks. If you want a convenient way to securely store and manage multiple passwords, rather use an app like 1Password. This tool creates strong, unique passwords for every site, remembers them, and logs you in with a single tap.
Download apps from trusted sources
Download apps only from trusted sources such as the official Google Play and Amazon app stores. The official app stores scan apps for malware and spyware, offering you a little more protection than you’d get by simply downloading apps from a random web site offering ‘free’ apps. Don’t download Android Package files (APKs) from the web, since they bypass app store certifications and may contain malware.
Install an anti-virus app
Your Android smartphone can scan for malware, but an antivirus app can give you a little more peace of mind. Have a look at the Google Play Appstore to see which ones fit your needs and your budget.
Back up your data
Be sure to back up your data in case your smartphone gets lost, stolen, or damaged. You can do a manual backup to the cloud or find an app to automatically back your data up for you. This will ensure that you can get your information back easily if something happens to your device.
Turn on the Android Device Manager
The Android Device Manager allows you to remotely lock, wipe, and locate your device if it goes missing. With Android Device Manager, you will be able to locate and ring your phone if you misplace it. To set up this feature, look at the security function in your settings manager. Once you’ve configured it, you can access Android Device Manager from any web browser, and gain access to your smartphone.
So let's always stay safe as we browse the internet.
Do you have any questions concerning how to go about any of the tips mentioned above or you have any suggestions? Feel free to use the comment box.
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