Table of Contents
Android has complete dominance in the phone market, as many as 70% of all devices use it. The popularity of the operating system is both a plus and a minus. Although it has the largest number of applications, it also has the most viruses and the most frequent hacker attacks. Don’t give up on tips that can protect your device from various hacker attacks. Just follow them and you will be able to emerge from this fight between good and evil as a winner.
How do I make my device secure?
1. Use phone locks
Using phone locks is the most important step to ensure the security of your Android phones. It doesn’t matter if you just left your phone on the table, next to friends or lost it, no one will have access to the content. While hacking is possible, it is usually too costly to be worthwhile. Plus, it gives you time to react, such as blocking or wiping your phone remotely.
2. Location tracking settings
Android has a clever way of creating a profile on your preferences to cater to advertisers – by tracking your location. This can be quite distressing for those who value their privacy. By consistently monitoring your Android device, Google can deduce where you reside, work, shop, who your healthcare provider is, where your children attend school, and other personal information. However, no need to panic, you can safeguard your data by adjusting your location settings. Let me guide you through it:
- Access your Settings menu, then locate “Privacy and Safety.”
- Look for “Location settings” (if you can’t find it, it might be labeled as “Location” or something similar).
- On the “Privacy and Safety” screen, tap “Location” to modify your location settings.
- Scroll through the list of recently used apps that have accessed your location information. Click on each app or service to adjust their location access permissions. You can also disable location access for all apps using the slider at the top of the screen.
- By tapping on “Improve accuracy,” you can modify settings that use Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices to determine your location. Turning these off will help safeguard your location’s privacy.
- Return to the “Location” screen and tap on the “Locating method” to restrict the various ways your device can be located. For the utmost privacy, select the GPS-only option, which provides the least precise pinpointing.
3. Use VPN
Want to know how I make my Android phone impossible to track? The easiest way is to use VeePN for mobile devices. VeePN is a top VPN provider with advanced security technology that can protect against tracking and bypass any geo-restrictions. Yes, it will take you a few minutes to figure out how to set up a VPN on Android, but it’s worth it.
4. Download apps only from the Google Play Store
Avoid using third-party app stores to download any apps as it can lead to malware and viruses infecting your phone. Hackers find it easy to access your device through this method. Another important point to consider is avoiding the use of unverified apps, even if they are available on the Google App Store unless you are familiar with the developers. While such questionable apps occasionally manage to make it to the Play Store, Google algorithms swiftly identify and remove them. Therefore, allow the tech giant time to eliminate these suspicious apps and bugs. For your part, only use apps when you are confident in their reliability and security.
5. Manage App Permissions
When you install an app on your device, it may ask for permissions such as accessing your camera or location. These permissions are needed for the app’s features to work, which may impact your privacy preferences on Android. While it’s not necessary to grant all requested permissions, the app may not function optimally without them. Additionally, some simple apps that serve a specific purpose won’t work at all without the necessary permission(s). As a result, many people generally agree to all permission requests when installing an app.
6. Enable Android’s “Find My Device” feature
The built-in feature of your Android phone enhances security for both your data and the device itself. By enabling “Find My Device,” you can prevent data loss and easily locate your phone if it gets stolen.
To enable the “Find My Device” feature on your Android device:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Google.
- Next, select Security.
- Tap Find My Device and turn on the slider.
7. Update the Android device
To ensure the utmost security of your Android smartphone or any other device, it is crucial to prioritize the maintenance of updated apps and operating systems. Failing to update your OS exposes your device to various security threats, as older software versions often contain vulnerabilities that malware and bugs can exploit. This concern is further amplified for specific applications and devices that are prone to viruses and bugs, such as the Google Pixel.
Conclusion
Android phones are often targeted by hackers and smartphone snatching is a common occurrence worldwide. These reasons, along with many others, make protecting Android phones crucial for individuals. Staying informed about the latest security practices is vital as hackers continuously develop new techniques. You are now among those who are most likely to avoid having your Android device hacked.