Many of us use smartphones more often than laptops. However, we are much more sensitive about the safety of computers than phones.
This is largely due to the fact that the fundamentals of device security have long been established. But there are still threats and vulnerabilities that can threaten your data and passwords.
Here are 10 safety tips to help you use your Android smartphone as safely as possible.
1. Use a password manager
It’s wonderful that a computer, almost conscious voice controls our homes, while we still use old passwords to access devices. And most continue to use simple combinations as passwords for several logins at once.
A password manager like LastPass can come to the rescue. The manager stores your passwords, for access to which you need to enter another one, then it is worth remembering.
These managers also generate very complex passwords for you. And after installation, they will automatically fill in all the fields where a password is required.
Some security experts say you need to disable autocomplete on your phone and laptop. As for us, it’s better to interact less with passwords this way.
2. Don’t download apps from unknown sources
The flexibility of the Android system is one of its main advantages over iOS. However, such freedom can also harm the smartphone if you install applications from unknown sources.
Android allows users to install applications via the installer, just like on a PC. You can download the apk file from your browser or from other sources like Getjar or SlideMe.
In this way, it is convenient to distribute not yet final versions of applications or those that for some reason have not been approved on Google Play. There is no easy way to find out about the presence of viruses in a file, so you should only use the official Google Play store.
3. Do not use light combinations like “1234” as your PIN
There is controversy over the use of a fingerprint scanner as a primary security measure. It’s not as secure as a strong password or PIN, but there’s no denying the scanner’s convenience.
If you are using your phone scanner, it is important that your backup PIN is not too light, such as 1111, 0000 or 1234. Such combinations are not suitable for passwords, and their use negates all security.
The same applies to unlock with a picture password. Balancing the complexity and ease of typing, you need to memorize them very well in order to enter at the level of muscle memory.
4. Don’t send sensitive data over shared Wi-Fi networks
Living in a large city, it is quite difficult to avoid using public Wi-Fi. the web is everywhere and many of them are from the same providers. Security experts advise to be more careful and try to avoid public Wi-Fi altogether.
Several different attacks could mean that the data stored on your smartphone and the information you enter falls into the hands of an adventurer hacker, and it doesn’t take an IT genius to launch the attack yourself.
It is best to view sites only with the URL – “https”, it will be safe. And never enter your card details or use online banking on public Wi-Fi networks. All banking sites can be protected, but this security will not be able to withstand the so-called “middleman attack”, where a hacker intercepts information sent from your phone to a bank or other site.
5. Try using a VPN
VPN, or virtual private network, acts as an extra layer of protection as all of your data is transferred over an encrypted connection between your phone and VPN servers.
It may sound complicated, but using a VPN is pretty simple. Many of the most popular VPN services have Android apps, you simply launch them, select the location of the server you want, and then your smartphone is supposedly in a different country.
The best VPNs are: Tunnelbear, NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
6. Check for security updates
The most inconspicuous type of update is often the most important. Everyone loves the new features coming in the new OS version, but security updates will help keep your phone safe.+
Google releases them once a month, and they counter any new threats and vulnerabilities discovered since the previous update. You can see the last time your phone received an update by going to Settings> Security>
7. Security update
If a smartphone has received updates for a long time, then it may be exposed to threats. Unfortunately, this cannot be fixed.
The frequency of security updates should be considered when purchasing a smartphone. Google phones like the Pixel 3 get security updates first, and Android One devices are guaranteed at least three years of security updates.
