Android security, Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. We use them for shopping, ordering food, booking cabs and movie tickets, making payments and whatnot. That said, we store a lot of confidential information, such as password and credit card details, on our smartphones.
But even then we normally don’t pay much attention towards the overall safety of the data store on our smartphone. Sure they have numerous built-in security measures, but they are not fully hack-proof. With all the reports about malware attacks and data breaches, no one can blame you for wanting to protect your cell phone from hackers.
Android Security :
Ø Keep Android OS up to date :
The most important reason to keep your phone and computer up to date is security. Companies such as Apple and Google, as well as major apps, all have employees whose job is to try to hack into their own product. Their goal is to discover and fix flaws before malicious hackers can take an advantage of them.
Ø Set Password :
Set password to your android mobile. Pick password which is easy to remember. Avoid date of birth, nick name, name, ATM pin, last digit of mobile number. These are easily caught by hacker. Chose a code that contains 6 digit, 4 digit, or an alphanumerical.
To set password follow this way. Android = Setting>Security>Screen lock> and choose any one option to set password.
Ø Need to Install Antivirus Security Application ???
So, the answer to your question is NO! Android phones need not any antivirus. But that doesn’t mean that Android is safe from Malwares & Viruses, just the mechanism & propagation (spreading) of the intrusion of the Virus or any Malware is different than that of Windows.
Viruses & Malwares come from user installed programs. They cannot spread automatically like Windows Viruses. Here, end user is culprit, who confers user rights to such programs that may infect user land area of the applications.
Do Not Install Any Popular Anti-Virus (OFTEN FOUND AD ON TV) On Your Phone. Such Anti-Virus Generates Fake Virus Reports And Convince User That How It Works Perfectly And How Wise You Are That You Chose To Install This Anti-Virus.
Also do not install such apps which display malicious ads which tells that your phone has been infected and install so and so anti-virus. Do not trust on such ads and simple do not install such apps which shows such ads.
Ø Verify Application before Installing :
Download apps only from trusted source such as the google play store. Also, don’t forget to check rating and review of an app before installing in android. Checking the privacy policy of the app you you are downloading is a must as well.
Ø Uninstall Unnecessary Apps :
The more apps you have on your device, the more likely it is that one of them has an unknown or unpatched vulnerability. So if there’s an app that you’re not using, do yourself a favor and uninstall it to reduce your attack vector.
Ø Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) :
The use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is an efficient way to protect your Android’s network traffic against surveillance and eavesdropping. In a nutshell, a VPN application encrypts all the outgoing and incoming information into your device and routes it through a server, preventing eavesdroppers from looking at your data or figuring out which websites and services you’re using.
Ø Use of Unsecure Wi-Fi Connection :
Unsecured connections don’t have lock icons near their listings. Avoid them, if you can, and use your phone’s secure mobile connection. Otherwise, install a virtual private network (VPN), which directs your traffic through encrypted connections. Even if you’re using a VPN, never access your bank account or vital records on an unsecured connection.
Ø Disable Data Connection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS when you’re not using them.
They allow potential hackers to locate your phone with a simple scan. Follow the instructions in your user’s manual or support section of the phone manufacturer’s website. These settings are usually defaulted to the “on” mode on newer phones.