With mobile hackers developing new software to scam innocent users, it can be difficult to know how to use your Android safely. There seems to be a myth that hackers and malware are just threats to computer users, but in recent years smartphone security is something to be aware of. Fortunately, Android already has ways to protect your phone that you can easily take advantage of. In this article, we are going to go through some of the steps in order to improve the security of your phone.
The password is the key
A common mistake among users is not protecting their personal information with a good password. When signing up for a new app or website, many will use the same common password because it’s easier to remember. This is an example of what not to do.
Instead, generate passwords with Passwordhero is a better option to secure your information. With the generator, you can create passwords consisting of a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols, and hackers will have a hard time guessing your password. A secure password is a gateway to securing your emails, social media accounts, and private photos.
Authenticate on your phone
Besides having a good password, it is equally important to have biometric security or two-factor authentication on your phone. Biometric authentication lets you unlock your phone or apps with your fingerprint or PIN. Some newer devices will also support facial recognition. Multi-factor authentication provides an additional layer of protection. Here you download an app or visit a website and every time you log in you also have to approve your login through the app or the website.
How secure are Android phones?
When you switch from iPhone to Android, you might wonder how secure the phone is compared to Apple’s. Because Android is popular around the world, the devices are particularly targeted by cybercriminals. Therefore, Android devices are in principle more exposed to malware than iPhones. However, Android makes sure to release updates regularly, so you can always keep your device safe.
Data security
Like many other Android users, you may need to download multiple apps for things like entertainment or productivity. And by reading the fine print, you’ll find out how companies often log your personal information. But Android has already built in some security measures, like you can choose when to share your data. For example, you can choose to allow the app to record audio, share access to your camera, or your location. As Android says, your phone should take care of you, not the other way around.
Forgotten apps
While downloading apps, sometimes we may forget which apps we shared our personal data with. But with an Android phone, you can automatically turn off voice recording or location sharing permissions. This way you can always know which apps are allowed to use your photos. But don’t worry, if you regret it and decide to use the app again, you can always re-enable the permissions.