10 Tips To Secure Your Android Phone In 2019
With an ever-increasing utilization of the Android phones in pretty much all matters of life, failure to secure your smart device in an appropriate fashion can lead to a huge loss not only in terms of data but also the confidential information that you wanted to keep private at all times.
This is why it can’t be overemphasized to take the security of your Android phone seriously. We have listed ten of the essential Android security tips below in light of the importance of smartphone security. Following our tips will ensure a peace of mind that your smart device is secured against all sorts of thefts.
1. Always Use A Screen Lock
To begin with, you must ensure that your Android device is secured with a screen lock.
While a pin lock, pattern lock, or a password lock works perfectly fine, you do also have the option of using the fingerprint scanner or eye scanner on the latest Android devices. You can also use similar locks on individual apps.
2. Encryption
Android devices enable you to encrypt the data on your phone in order to prevent the loss in case you end up losing your phone.
If your Android device is running on Jellybean or a higher version, all you have to do is go to the Settings and enable encryption, an option that you will find under the Security tab.
3. 2 Factor Authentication
In order to keep your device secured, it is a commendable option to use the 2-factor authentication for your Google account on your Android device.
This will ensure that even if someone hacks your password, he won’t be able to get into your account since it’ll also require a code that will be sent to you on your smartphone every time someone attempts to log in to your account.
4. Keep An Eye On The App Permissions
More often than not, each new app installed in your Android device asks for certain permissions including access to your contacts, your personal information, and the data stored on your phone, which are carelessly allowed.
It is, however, required to keep your Android smartphone secure to take a good look at the permissions and evaluate whether or not you’d like to give certain permissions to a particular application.
5. Keep Your Device Up-to-date
It is a major Android security tip to keep your phone updated to the latest version of the firmware.
Don’t forget to keep your installed applications up-to-date as well since it significantly reduces the risk of security loophole being exploited by hackers.
6. Internet Privacy
Next in the line of our Android security tips is limiting the data that is stored on Chrome internet browser specifically the passwords.
In an event of theft, or perhaps a hack, your confidential information such as the passwords can be retrieved from the Chrome browser which is why it’s of importance to limit the data that it stores.
7. Contact Information
In order to secure an Android device, it is recommended to keep it backed up at all times to ensure that you won’t have to lose a lot of your important data or information in an event of a theft.
It is also advised to keep your contact information on the lock screen just in case someone finds your phone and has the intention of delivering it back to you.
8. Google Play Is Your Friend
In order to secure an Android device, it is recommended to always make use of the Google Play Store to download applications or games.
Using a third-party platform for such a purpose significantly increases the risk of the data and information on your phone being compromised.
9. Multiple User Accounts
If you plan on sharing your Android device with a family member or a friend, it is essential that you make use of the capacity to add multiple user accounts on the Android device.
This will enable the person with whom you are sharing the device to have limited access to your data and information.
10. Android Device Manager
Never forget to make use of the Android Device Manager application which can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.
The application enables you to track your stolen phone on the map and even wipe it clean if the chances of getting it back are slim.
All you have to do is access the application via the web browser on your computer system, and you’ll be able to track or wipe your phone conveniently.
Final Thoughts
The aforementioned tips clearly accentuate the fact that it’s not as complicated to secure an Android device as it may seem to be.
Owing to the importance of smartphone security, it is advised that you follow all of the above-mentioned tips in order to keep your device and the confidential data and information that it stores far from the reach of thieves or hackers.
Rest assured, spending a few minutes of your time in securing your Android device can help a great deal in avoiding a major loss.