Android 101: Learn How To Protect Your Android

Before you download any apps on your Android phone, the most basic task that you need to accomplish is to secure your phone. Hackers, malware and viruses are common these days in smartphones, and the best way to avoid them is to build a security wall in your phone’s system. Five simple tips are given below to increase your phone’s security:

1. The simplest way to protect your Android phone is to use a password. Different security options may be available, depending on your Android phone’s brand or model. The most common security options are the traditional password, PIN or pattern.
2. Since your smartphone is an Android, this means you can download security apps specially designed for your phone’s model. Although there are a lot of security apps, download only those from trusted developers such as AVG, Norton, Avast and Kaspersky. Some security apps might be created by malware and virus developers that instead of protecting your phone from unwanted programs, you might just be introducing such programs on your phone. One can easily identify if an app is reliable by looking at the reviews posted by others who have already used it. It would also help if you read about the app. Do a little research before downloading and installing them on your phone.
3. Some Android users dismiss notifications that would prompt them to update their phone’s operating system. Do not ignore these updates. Developers continue to tweak and improve their operating systems to prevent malware from compromising the system and the phone. These should not be ignored as these update your Android’s current system including its security.
4. Android phones can connect to Wi-Fi networks. However, not all networks are safe to use. Public Wi-Fi networks are potential hang-out places of hackers and malware. Use your phone only at secure Wi-Fi networks since these are protected by passwords and have added security measures to protect the devices that are in it. Also, avoid sending or viewing private and sensitive information via public and even secure connections. In case someone hacks in your system, they will not gain pertinent information such as bank account details, personal transaction details with your business or service providers like RingCentral and the like.
5. Most Android phone users root their devices. In its simplest explanation, rooting is the ability of gaining access to control your phone’s operating system. Although there are advantages when your Android is rooted, there are disadvantages as well. One of which is tampering with the phone’s security such as safeguards. Once altered, viruses and other dangerous software can ruin your phone’s system and hardware. Before you decide to root your Android phone, weigh the risks first. Better be safe than sorry.