10 Tips To Tighten Security On Your Android Device

Smartphones have come to define us by being the portal to our online identity and as such should be treated with care and secured against any wrongdoingonline (hacking) or offline (stolen). If you are not careful, losing your smartphone may mean more than just a loss in contacts and phone numbers. We’re talking about your social media accounts, your synced files, important documents, your emails, photos and messages.

Your entire information is traceable and downloadable and may be shared all over the World Wide Web if you are not careful enough.

                

While we’d love it if people don’t mess around with other people’s personal information, putting morale aside, this is the virtual world where thieves and hackers hide behind anonymity and are hard to trace. There is no one better to protect your own data, than you. We hope these tips and tricks will be of help in that endeavor.

1. Do Not Save All Of Your Passwords

Many users tend to save their passwords to online services and sites on their device, never once thinking about what it would mean to a person who got their hands on the phone. Avoid having all important passwords saved in your device particularly when it comes to banking or payment apps.

                 

2. Use Android In-built Security

If you are running on Jelly Bean, you can have a screen lock and encryptionenabled to further enhance your security. There are many types of screen locks available for you to choose from such as password, pin, pattern and face unlock, available in your Android settings. Even when setting pins or pattern locks, try not to make it easy for hackers to guess your password.

                  

        

3. Lock Your Apps

It is necessary to lock your apps, especially the ones holding private information that you wish nobody but you could see. This is a second layer of security to prevent anyone from using your lost device particularly if they have managed to bypass your locked Android.

You can use a free app like App Lock for this exact purpose. The idea here is not to lock every single app in your device, just really data-laden ones like your email apps or file managers.

While you at it, avoid using a combination of a pin or pattern lock that can be traceable from the smudges of your screen (Yes, it is traceable).

To get a ebook about mobile security,go here

        

                 

4. The importance of app permissions

Before you begin installing an app from Google Play, a list of requested permissions will pop up to show you what permission the app requires. Apps require permissions to do things but not all of them are necessary.

Always read through the permissions to make sure they make sense andcorrespond to what the app actually does eg. an alarm app does not require a permission to access your text messages. This is a real important step becausenot all apps in the Play Store are safe.

                  

While you’re at it, make it a habit to read the comments as well as the rating of the app that you are going to download. This helps you understand more about what the app really does without trying it out firsthand.

                 

5. Securing Your Network

One of the most important thing in protecting your Android is to secure your network. Try to avoid using public WiFi whenever you want to do something important like doing your banking online. As long you are sharing the same network with the public, they can easily sniff out your packets and translate it into actual data of your private information i.e. your passwords.

You can protect your information by using apps like Hideninja VPN so that your outgoing connection is always encrypted, making it harder for anyone to sabotage your data. If you suspect that your device is being attacked, WiFi Protector can help fend off these attackers. To further enhance your network security you can apply settings from SecDroid but note that this app is only for rooted phones.

                   

6. Use Mobile Security App

It will make your job easier to have an app that handles most of your security issue. Find a mobile security app that you are comfortable using, for example:Lookout Security & Antivirus and avast! Mobile Security. Even with a security app, you shouldn’t let your guard down as Android malware is getting stronger and more rampant, which brings us to the next tip.

To get a mobile security ebook,go here

                    

7. Create Multiple User Account To Protect Privacy

If you own an Android tablet and have to share it with a sibling, a spouse, or your kids, having multiple user accounts will help each of you protect your privacy. In Jelly Bean for tablet, there is an option for you to create multiple user accounts. You can create another general account for anyone who wants to use your device. The option is under the Settings > Users section.

            

8. Prepare A Backup Of Your Data

A backup of your precious data is a must-have in the day and age of smartphones. Picture the worst case scenario where your Android device has been stolen or hacked. The last thing you can do is perform a remote wipe (see #10). Without a backup, you will lose all your information in your device.

Even if you could retrieve your stolen phone, chances are that hackers that have managed to access your device will render it useless. If you have a backup however, you can still restore your Android device back to its original state. You can choose to backup important information to the Cloud, your desktop or even to a flash drive, for insurance.

                     

9. Track Your Lost Device

So you have a backup already but you really want to get your lost device back. Well, as the smartphone industry would have it, your phone is built to be trackable, via GPS. The catch is, you have to enable GPS on your phone for it to be tracked. Fret not because, there are plenty of device-tracking apps for Android that can help you locate your lost or stolen device, some can even turn on the GPS on your phone remotely.

        

10. Enable Remote Wipe

So you are at the point where you have everything installed and ready to go. But, you still need one last feature – the ability for you to wipe your device remotely. This is necessary, especially when you are sure that your Android is lost (forever). There’s no crying over spilt milk now – we can only prevent them from turning it into cheese.

I recommend 3CX Mobile Device Manager because it is free and easy to use. You can sign up for the account here and let just hope that the day you need to use their remote wipe feature will never come.

       

To get a free ebook about mobile security go here

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Protect your Android: 10 tips for maximum security

Applying a dozen iOS security settings to better protect your mobile device does not sound like a terribly tedious job. So what about Android? The issue here is that Android as a mobile OS is seemingly the same, yet it is so varied. Its open and flexible nature has made it the leader in the mobile market, but simultaneously it is the basis for the notorious fragmentation issue that everyone is keen to mention every so often.

Versions of Android running on the Nexus device, Samsung/Sony/HTC smartphones and on a Chinese no-name are easily distinguishable. However, there are some general tips to ensure that your Android device is more secure, and a number of the tips are those that are applicable to iOS as well.

Of course, it presupposes compromises in everyday experiences, but in this case you have to choose between comfort and safety. Ultimately, one can find an optimal balance between convenience and safety and, at least partially, follow the list of tips below.

1. Download apps only from the Google Play Store
   Indeed, the most ‘dangerous’ thing about Android is not the OS itself, but apps that a user can install. Contrary to iOS, installing an app by oneself or with ‘help’ from another user is super easy on Android. Just never download an app from third-party platforms and websites: they might be infected. It is easier to fully disable this capability in settings and deploy an integrated app security check. Also, say no to root access, as it significantly elevates the risks of running into infected applications.
   How it helps: significantly lowers your chances of getting malware.
   How to set it: go to “Settings” -> “Security”, un-check the “Unknown Sources” box, check “Verify Apps.”

2. Watch out for app permissions
   First, you’d want to install apps only by known developers, or rely on Google recommendations. Second, check the apps’ permissions every time you install to see what exactly a certain app is asking to access. If a wallpaper app or game wants to access your accounts, SMS, mic, location and to enjoy unlimited Internet, that looks fishy.
   How it helps: significantly lowers your chances of getting malware
   How to set it: upon installation, the list of permissions is shown on the screen, and also there is the “See Permissions” link on the bottom of the app page. If a suspicious app has been installed already, go to “Google Settings” -> “Enabled Apps” and disable the ones you don’t want to run.  

3. Use strong passwords
   This is more of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ tip. To unlock your phone, use sophisticated passwords, not a PIN or graphic code. The best solution is a password that contains at least ten characters, including lower case and upper case letters, numbers, and symbols. But it’s not easy to enter that many symbols each time that you unlock your phone, so you should try several passwords to find the optimal one. The password should be changed on a regular basis. Also, set the minimal idle time to enable the lock, and disable the option to show passwords when entering them. Note that many apps also use password-based security.
   How it helps: significantly lowers the chances for other people to access your phone and its content.
   How to set it: go to “Setting” -> “Security” -> “Screen Lock” and choose “Password” as a means of locking the screen. Then go to “Settings” -> “Security” and un-check “Make passwords visible” box.   

To get a mobile security ebook,go here.

4. Encrypt your data
   It’s simple! If the data on your phone is encrypted, then no one is able to access it even if the phone is lost or stolen. It is better to choose a password rather than a PIN code because in the current Android version, encryption is based on password/PIN only and is only as strong as the password is. Android 5.0 should improve upon this.
   How it helps: protects data in case your device is lost
   How to set it: go to “Settings” -> “Security” -> “Encrypt Phone”, and check the “Encrypt SD Card” in addition.  

5. Watch out for your Wi-Fi connections
   By default, Android tries to connect to any wireless network you ever accessed. In the case of open access points, it may well be that it is not a hotspot you are used to but rather a malicious hotspot created by a cybercriminal. With that in mind, first try to avoid public hotspots, and second, run a regular audit of your remembered Wi-Fi networks list. Also, disable default search for open wireless connections.
   How it helps: lowers the chances of inadvertently connecting to potentially malicious Wi-Fi networks.
   How to set it: go to “Settings” -> “Wi-Fi”, press and hold a remembered hotspot name to call up the menu which allows you to delete the network; go to “Advanced Settings” to un-check “Always Search for Wireless Networks.”   

To get a mobile security ebook,go here.

6. Always use VPN
   This tip is especially relevant when using a public hotspot or an untrusted network connection. Using VPN will protect the data you transfer and (as a bonus) allow you to access resources that are somehow restricted on public networks. Today, robust VPN access is not that expensive and the latest models of home routers have their own VPN servers, making VPN access completely free for you. It is better to use L2TP or OpenVPN, which sport even more reliable protection than the widely used PPTP. To prevent a data leak prior to establishing a VPN connection, do not forget to make VPN ‘always-on’, or disable automatic syncing of your apps.
   How it helps: encrypts inbound and outbound data.
   How to set it: go to “Settings”, choose “More…” -> VPN in “Wireless Connections and Networks”; in the context menu check “Always-on VPN” and choose the connection; autosyncing can be disabled in “Settings” -> “Accounts.”   

7. Disable notifications
   Even if your phone is locked, different notifications can be pushed to the status bar or to the display. Notifications may include one-time codes to confirm transactions, account status alerts and other sensitive data. Unfortunately, there is no single Android notification center where these can be disabled. Also, many device OEMs use different skins which are not secure in this respect. That means that you will have to disable all app notifications manually.
   How it helps: no outsider is able to see your notifications, which might contain sensitive information.
   How to set it: go to “Settings” -> “Apps”; choose an app and un-check the “Show notifications” box. In some cases it is even easier to disable notifications in the program’s settings.  

8. Apply settings to Google services
   There may be good reasons to set some limits for the search giant, as any leak of Google account information might lead to negative consequences for a user: any culprit able to gain access might not only read your messages but may also find out where you have been, see your photos and contacts and other meaningful things.
   How it helps: minimizes damage done in case of data leakage.
   How to set it: in the “Google Settings” app, in “My Location” entry, disable “Sending Geolocation Data” and “History of Location” options for all accounts; in “Search and Tips,” disable Google Now; in “Android Remote Management” you may want to enable “Remote Device Search” and “Remote Lock and Reset” options; in the “Google Photo” app, go to “Settings” -> “Auto Back Up” and disable the default automated backup of all of your photos on Google servers.  

9. Get rid of unnecessary apps
   See tips 1 and 2 above. The more apps that you have, the higher the risk is that some of them are involved in malicious activities. Also, in the Android world, there is this bad habit of selling devices with tons of pre-installed services and apps. You may not use them, but it doesn’t mean that their creators don’t use you. Some, but not all, of them, can be deleted. Refer to an app’s website to know which of them are good to go.
   How it helps: minimizes damage done in case of data leakage.
   How to set it: go to “Settings” -> “Apps” -> “All,” tap on the app you need to delete in the list and press “Wipe data” and “Disable”.  

10. Use two-factor authentication for Google and other apps
    Two-factor authentication is likely the best method to ensure maximum user account security available today. It is simple: besides using the password, it requires you to also enter a one-time code sent via text message or within specialized apps or even hardware. Without this code, an intruder cannot log in to your accounts, even if they have laid hands on your password.
    How it helps: significantly lowers the chances of an outsider using your accounts.
    How to set it: go to https://accounts.google.com/SmsAuthConfig in your browser and follow the instructions.   

This list of tips helps to significantly improve Android security but it is not a cure-all. Thus, do not forget to install a trusted security pack on your smartphone or tablet. Besides antivirus, such solutions offer other means of protection: safe web surfing, password manager, SMS filtering, anti-theft options and so on.

And, a final note in our recommendations: stay alert!


To get a mobile security ebook,go here.

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