Many people rely heavily on their Android smartphones to access sensitive data, take photos, download documents, and do fieldwork. All of that information can be stolen in a blink of an eye, whether through a compromised application or a lost phone. Here are the best practices and security apps to secure data on any Android-based device.
Audit software
The first step to securing data is to eliminate any applications that aren’t in active use. When there are fewer apps on the phone, it’s easier to diagnose security issues to determine the root cause. Many applications have access to permissions that go far beyond what they need to function, so this is also a way to eliminate security holes. Plus, it frees up storage space that was just being wasted.
Keep software updated
Any software that stays on the Android device needs to be updated to the most recent versions. Some hackers will use security holes in earlier versions of the application to access data. When the software stays up-to-date, it’s much harder for them to find a viable vulnerability. New types of attacks also get covered by this approach.
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is a virtual private network service, which improves an Android user’s privacy and security when they’re using the Internet and online services. A virtual private network operates by taking the user’s traffic through servers that the company controls. This traffic goes out to the public Internet, with the user’s online identity masked from various entities.
Many user-friendly features make Surfshark a great VPN to add to the Android phone, plus the performance is excellent too. This secure VPN for Android has several security features that prevent Internet-usage from being spied on by hackers, governments, and other entities that try to track and use data on website visitors.
Only install legitimate applications
Android applications use the .APK file extension, and someone may encounter applications that are hosted somewhere other than the Google Play Store. These third-party stores could have compromised applications that lead to malware getting installed on the smartphone.
Vendors with the latest updates
Some mobile carriers and manufacturers offer smartphones that have the latest Android updates—like the Pixel phones by Google. Others may lag behind or add bloatware on top of the updates when they push out the updates. If possible, go with a smartphone and carrier combo that has little to no delay in sending out Over the Air updates.
Find My Device
The Find My Device application builds on the Find My Phone functionality that’s included with Android smartphones. It’s created by Google, so Android users have the reassurance that they’re working with a first-party application. Users can lock an Android device if it’s lost, wipe the data remotely to prevent someone else from accessing it, and find the phone via ringing and location data.
Signal Private Messenger
Another way to secure data on the Android is by encrypting communications end-to-end. The Signal Private Messenger provides this level of protection by making the regular SMS messages have encryption, even if the person on the other end does not have the application. This functionality sets it apart from similar applications, as they require that all people in a conversation have the same app to get the encryption.
Last Pass
Many usernames and passwords get compromised through data breaches. If the Android user has the same login information for all of their accounts, then it’s only a matter of time before a hacker gets access to that information. Last Pass is a password manager that protects this information with encryption and super secure passwords for every new account the user sets up.
Two-factor authentication settings
Many applications, as well as your Google Account, have access to a two-factor authentication setting that adds another security layer when a user logs in. Instead of just using the username and password combination to access an application or the phone, the user has to verify their identity with a second piece of information. For example, they may have to put their fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor or click a link from a text message.
Sometimes the second factor is even a physical device, such as a hardware authenticator. This method is relatively common in organizations that go all out for protecting the security of their systems.
Sophos
Sophos is a robust Android security application that protects users against common viruses, malware, device loss, device theft, spam protection, privacy settings, and security settings. It also protects the user’s mobile Internet usage by filtering out suspicious sites before they end up clicking on them. Whether someone wants to protect their Android phone from an opportunistic thief or common malware, this anti-virus software has it covered.
Orbot
If an Android user is particularly concerned about their anonymity on the Internet, Orbot makes it possible to route mobile traffic through TOR. Android users may have many reasons for doing so, such as accessing TOR-based resources or simply wanting control over how public or private their Internet activities would be.
App Lock
Many people have a device lock in place on their smartphones, but this application goes one step further. It makes it possible to lock down apps on an individual basis. This locking method is particularly useful for people who rely on their smartphones as their primary internet devices. They may do online payments and banking through multiple apps on the phone. App Lock makes it difficult for a hacker to break into these apps even if they figure out the lock screen on the Android phone.
Security threats abound for Android devices. While actual viruses and malware are less common than they are on Windows-based computers, there are still plenty of cybercriminals taking advantage of the many ways to attack these mobile devices. By following these security practices and putting these apps on the smartphone, Android owners decrease their chances of falling victim to these threats.
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Featured-Image: Droid-Life
