5 Steps to Improve Security on Android Devices

Android is the most popular operating system for mobile devices today, and chances are good that you or someone you love owns at least one Android phone or tablet. Most people assume mobile devices are safe and secure to use. What they don't realize is that there are many viruses as well as different types of malware that can be used to infect a phone and compromise its security entirely.

Smartphones become more capable devices every year, and it's likely you use your phone to check credit cards, manage your bank account, keep passwords, maintain a crypto wallet, and much more. If someone could gain access to your phone, you would be in major trouble and would likely suffer serious financial harm while losing access to photos and videos that are important to you. That's why Android security is so important. Learn how to safeguard your phone to keep others out, and you won't have to worry about what will happen to your data if it's stolen.

Does Android Have Built-in Security?

Android has its share of security vulnerabilities that enable attackers to get in and cause damage, but it's also protected by impressive security features. It's up to you to make sure you're utilizing these built-in features when you begin using your phone. Once you add a PIN, fingerprint lock, or password, your phone will be protected by 256-bit AES encryption.

All the apps in the Google Play Store have been scanned to locate and eliminate any malware present, protecting you from harmful programs. It's also designed to accommodate 2-step verification features.

Turn these on in Security within the Settings menu, and your apps and Google Account will demand verification from an email address, from your phone, and from some other account on another device for added protection. All these built-in features help keep you safe when using an Android device, so take the time to configure them properly before you use your phone.

How to Make Your Android Phone More Secure?

If you want to secure your Android phone, you can do so by following these quick steps. Using these basic tactics will make your phone significantly safer to use

1. Install the latest Android security update ASAP
2. Enable Biometric Unlocking and Authentication
3. Get a VPN Service
4. Enable 2-Factor Authentication for As Many Services as Possible
5. Enable Find My Device Tools
6. Use a password manager
7. Read app requirements closely before installing anything

For a more in-depth look at the steps, you can take to secure your Android phone, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Use a Password Manager

Attackers know that most people reuse their passwords for multiple services. That's why stolen passwords are put on a list for use later. If you use the same password for everything, attackers may steal your data from a single app with poor security and try using it in 100 others in hopes of unlocking extra services. To prevent this from happening, you should use a password manager. A good password manager helps you randomly generate passwords for your many different accounts, stores and protects all the passwords, and inputs them into services for you. Products like Dashlane, LastPass, and many others make it easy to use unique passwords for every service you rely on. Try one of these managers today on your phone for better Android phone security almost immediately.

2. Read All App Requirements Before Installing An Android App

Android apps can ask for access to personal information, location data, and much more. If you don't carefully read what permissions an app is requesting, you could give up your data to an app that isn't going to protect it or that may even misuse it. That's a scary prospect and one that you can protect yourself against by doing a little reading. Try and only get apps through the Google Play Store, and carefully read the terms and the requested permissions for these apps to ensure you aren't sharing too much private data.

3. Never Tap or Open Links in SMS Messages from Unfamiliar Sources

One of the main ways attackers spread malicious programs designed to steal your data and compromise your device is through links sent via SMS messages. If you get a message containing a link from someone you don't know, never click on the link. Clicking the link could allow the person into your phone and could compromise your private data to the individual. If you don't know an individual that's texting you, it's best to use a phone number search to try and identify who the person is before interacting with them. You can do the same thing with any emails you receive by using an email lookup search. Use these tools and others from InfoTracer to root out hackers and keep your information safe.

4. Do Not Connect to Any Unsecured Networks without Using a VPN

WiFi networks are available at most shops and public sitting areas today. These networks are convenient, but most are unsecured as well. That makes them useful tools for hackers to connect to a victim's device and steal information. At the same time, it's probably going to be too tempting for you to always avoid WiFi networks that aren't password protected while out in public; you still have to protect yourself. That's why you should get a VPN service. With a VPN or virtual private network, you send your data through a secure middleman before it reaches the internet. The information sent from your device gets encrypted before it even leaves your device, making it nearly impossible for hackers to steal any information you send. Even if you use an unsecured network, as long as you have a reliable VPN service engaged, you're still protected.

5.Stay Up-to-Date With the Latest Security Patches

Make sure your smartphone and any apps you use regularly are updated as soon as possible when new updates are released. Many of these updates are meant to secure security vulnerabilities that could enable hackers access to your phone. Skipping over updates is the worst thing you can do for your safety. This is why it's recommended that you set your phone to update automatically when new updates are released. You can set your device to perform updates while you're sleeping or during another time when you don't need it. When configured properly your phone will get all its security updates the day they are released, and you'll barely notice what's happening.

Keep Yourself Safer by Knowing Which Android Devices and Apps Are Safe

As an Android user, you get to enjoy a great deal of freedom and one of the largest app stores available today. Unfortunately, that freedom comes with the cost of sacrificing your security a bit. Use the tips above to keep your data safe and protect your device from attackers. Whenever you aren't sure about someone, conduct a search at InfoTracer to get the details that hackers don't want you to have.