Protect Android smartphone
from hackers
Use a PIN/password on the lockscreen
Always use a
PIN or a password to protect your smartphone. Adding
this security layer to your smartphone can help a
lot. And if you are someone who has a hard time remembering passwords, you can
go for a pattern lock instead.
Lock apps on your device
Only using a
password isn’t always enough. You should lock individual apps (especially those
like mobile wallets and online shopping) with passwords as well. There are
plenty of ways to go about it. For instance, certain smartphones
come with the built-in app locking functionality.
Some apps
like Paytm also include built-in locking features.
Lastly, there are numerous third-party security apps available on the Google
Play Store that you can use to lock individual apps.
Download apps from trusted sources
Download
apps only from trusted sources such as the Google Play Store. Also, don't
forget to check ratings and reviews of an app before hitting the download
button. Checking the privacy policy of the app you are downloading is a must as
well.
Read app permissions before downloading
an app
This is
another important step to keep in mind. When downloading an app from the Google
Play Store, make sure you read the complete information about all the data it
will have access to, once downloaded. For example, if a payment app has access
to your phone’s camera, you obviously know that it isn’t required.
Download Android Device Manager
You’ll thank
us for this. We feel Android Device Manager is one of the most useful apps by
Google out there. If you ever happen to lose your Android smartphone,
Android Device Manager can help you locate it.
The app can
come in really handy in tracking and getting back lost or stolen Android
devices. It can even be used to factory reset devices remotely, provided the
functionality has been configured properly beforehand.
Google Authenticator is a must have
You can bank
on Google Authenticator to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. It
is Google’s app to enable two-factor authentication. The app makes it easy to
get time-bound authentication codes for logging into accounts for which you
have two-factor authentication enabled. What’s best about Google Authenticator
is that it works offline, and even for some non-Google services.
Download an Antivirus app
Sounds very
obvious, but it is a critical step to follow, considering the kind of important
information our devices have. So don't forget to install an antivirus app.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi
Always avoid
using public Wi-Fi networks if you can. You can never be sure if they are 100%
safe. Also, make sure your phone doesn’t automatically connect to Wi-Fi
networks when in their range. Always keep Wi-Fi switched off when it’s not
required.
Configure Bluetooth settings properly
Firstly,
make your device is set as ‘Non-discoverable’ in its Bluetooth settings. That’s
because if they are always set as visible, smartphones
are more prone to getting targeted by hackers. Just like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
should also be kept switched off when not in use.
Never root your device
No matter
how tempted you may feel, don’t root your smartphone.
While rooting has its benefits, it also makes your smartphone
vulnerable to malware and other such attacks.
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