Android is the most popular mobile platform in India as
well as the world. One of the major reasons for its popularity is the
flexibility it offers in terms of customization and the abundance of
third-party apps.
Apps can even be side-loaded, bypassing Google’s Play
Store app marketplace. However, all this also makes Android vulnerable to
security threats and malware. Moreover, with our increasing reliance on
smartphones and tablets, we’re storing more private data than ever before,
leaving us more vulnerable to data thefts.
So how do you protect yourself from losing precious
personal and work data accessed via Android devices? Here are the top 10 tips
to help you secure your Android gadgets:
01. Use a screen lock
The most basic security measure for every Android device,
a screen lock allows you to guard the device by using a pattern, PIN or
password. The lock can be
activated through the Android device’s Security Settings. Following the
activation of the lock, the device can be set to lock automatically after a
specific time period or by pressing the Power key.
02. Encrypt your device
Android allows you to encrypt all the data on your
device. You’ll need to key in a password or PIN each time the device is turned
on to decrypt all the data. If the phone gets into the wrong hands, there’s no
way to access the data without a password or PIN if the device is restarted.
This way, your sensitive data stays safe though the device becomes a little
slow. It can be activated through the Android device’s Security Settings.
03. Using personal device for work? Talk to IT
According to security solutions firm ESET, around 30-40%
of devices in workplaces are vulnerable to threats unless users are educated
about risks. If you plan to use your personal device for work, check with your
workplace’s IT team before configuring it to access and store work related
data.
04. Activate Google’s Android Device Manager
Even if you lose your device, the Android Device Manager
feature allows you to track a (connected) device on Google Maps. It also
enables you to ring the device at full volume for five minutes and even erase
all the data. To verify if it's enabled, you can go to the Settings menu on
your device and tap on Security. It can be enabled through the Device
Administrators setting under Security Settings.
05. Don’t store sensitive data on SD cards
Make sure
you don’t store sensitive information such as copies of credit cards and
personal IDs on external storage cards since it is easy to remove them and
access the data stored.
06. Don’t install apps from unknown sources
While apps on the Google Play Store are not curated as
diligently as Apple’s App Store, it is still the safest place to download and
install apps on Android platform. Installation files (APKs) sourced from
third-party sites should be dealt with caution as they might hide malware or
spyware.
07. Install locks for apps
You can use additional protection for apps like
Gallery and Messaging to protect private data. A number of apps are available
on Play Store that offers an additional level of protection for individual
apps. Such apps ask you to set up a password or PIN code that needs to be
entered whenever you open the particular protected apps.
08. Don’t root your phone
By rooting your phone, you can install custom Android
ROMs and even some incompatible apps. However, apps with root access get
unhindered access to your device’s file-system, exposing it to more damage in
case a malicious app is installed. It also voids your phone’s warranty.
09. Keep your device software up to date
Google releases software updates that also include
several security patches. Check for software updates using the device Settings,
where you’ll find a System Updates option in the About Device menu.
10. Sign out or use incognito mode while browsing
Remember to sign out of Chrome while browsing the web on
an Android device or use incognito mode, especially if you share devices and
PCs. Chrome records your search and browsing history and syncs it across all
devices on which you’ve signed-in.