In this digital and connected age, data is more or less a currency. Our smartphones hold so a lot of personal data about us and in the wrong hands, this data could be disastrous. With the demand for this data vast and highly marketable, it is equally important to secure your Android smartphone; from the sight of potential hackers, as well as desperate individuals that could make anything of it once it falls in their hands.
Knowing how to best secure an Android device is all you need, and the rest will be okay. Let’s look at the ways you can keep your Android smartphone or tablet secure to the maximum.Advertisement – Continue reading below
1. Safe Apps Download
Android devices typically run on software and applications, and with many of these available for you to download, your device might fall into the trap of harmful applications. So, before downloading anything, you need to pay close attention to the application as well as ensuring that it is safe enough. You can set your antivirus to check every app that installs.
Also, by default, Android does not allow you to install apps from unknown sources. To be safe, we would advice that you move away from the habit of side-loading apps and sticking to the mainstream application distribution method, in this case, the Google Play Store.
2. Data Encryption
Encrypting data is a way of muddling your data so that only authorized people can read it, with the correct decryption key such as a PIN, password, or pattern. Using encryption helps to increase your security, and you can open encrypt while using any type of smartphone setting. You will need to have a password to access any of your data.
How to Encrypt Your Android Smartphone or Tablet
For you to encrypt your Android device, you will need to turn on the screen lock, as the encryption password is tied to the screen lock passcode. Ensure that you have a full battery change, otherwise plug in your device while in the process.
Depending on the phone you have, Click Settings > Security > Encrypt Device; Or choose Storage > Storage encryption; Or Storage > Lock screen and security > Other security settings to find the encrypt option.
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process. Your device may restart several times during the encryption process. Wait until the entire process is finished before using it.
3. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
A VPN will be of great help when you want to secure your online activity while using your Android device from prying eyes. VPNs provide a layer of security when connecting to the Internet over an unprotected public network that can otherwise compromise sensitive data. More importantly, they allow individuals to remotely connect to network resources on private servers intentionally made unavailable over unsafe public networks such as the Internet.
Read: What Exactly is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Why You Still Need One
4. App Lock
If we are talking about smartphone security, you can’t prevent any type of hacking by simply locking your phone. Rather, by locking the apps that contain personal information that you don’t want anyone else to see. Unless you’re certain that you don’t mind anyone else having access to your information, it is essential to lock them. You can lock individual apps and prevent unauthorized access to them by using third-party application available in Google Play.
5. Create Multiple User Accounts
If you share your device with others people, it is important that each user has their own accounts in order to protect your privacy. If the device is new, you can create guest accounts for other users like you would do on a desktop computer.
To get started, go to the gear icon or settings, look out for Users & Accounts, and add a new account by tapping the New User button. A dialog will pop up asking you confirm the new user addition.
If you are using a tablet, you’ll be asked to choose whether you want to add a regular account or restricted. You can choose to set the new user up now or wait till later. If you choose to set it up now, you’ll immediately be “logged out” of the profile you’re currently using and tossed into the setup menu.
6. No Financial Transactions
Do not do any type of financial transactions on your smartphone or tablet unless you really have to. If you want to engage in any form of online financial transactions, we recommend you to use a private home computer that is password protected. Any other party can ask to use your phone, and if they land on your online financial transactions, they can use your service and possibly access your information.
7. Don’t Save All Passwords
Whereas it is your phone, do not accept the browsers to save your account details as you login for various services. If you do this and someone else gets to your device, they will have access to all of your passwords. Do not save passwords in your Android device, particular when using social media, banking and payment apps.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, if you can employ any of the above remedies, be sure to use your phone at ease; and only prone to pick pocketing – which of course you can try to prevent. With a secure phone, a peace of mind is well deserved.
