The threat of having the phone hacked has become common. Whetherit is Android or iPhone, it is possible to hack a phone. With the advancement of technology, hackers can hack Android phones with more sophisticated software.
In recent years, Android phones are under constant attack – where the older versions are vulnerable compared to the newer versions.
So, what you can do to protect your Android phone?
Here are the top ways to secure your android phone from hackers. Many of these methods are pretty simple and easy to adopt.
Lock the apps
Using the phone lock is one of the important things to do to secure your android device. It might seem a simple tip but is helpful in many ways.
You can turn on the Android smart lock feature that improves its security without making it vulnerable to thefts and cyberattacks. It keeps the android device unlocked in trusted places like home and office.
Using a password to lock the screen isn’t enough. You should lock the apps individually with passwords or built-in app locking functionality.
If you don’t use an app, uninstall it – as every application comes with its security challenges.
1. Download apps from Play Store ONLY
Download apps only from trusted sources such as Google Play Store. Also, make sure to check the reviews of the app before clicking the download button. Be judicious about what you download on your device. Whether it is videos, images, songs, email attachments, or other files –you should exhibit caution when downloading them on your device.
The vast majority of malware comes from unreliable third-party sources. Every application comes with its security problems. Most of the software vendors update their apps regularly to patch the security loopholes.
2. Read the app permission carefully
When downloading and installing an app from Google Play, it is a must to read the complete information about the data it will have access to. Review the app carefully and check if you need to give any permission to use that app.
For example – if a food delivery app asks you to access your email id, contacts, camera, or files – you can deny the permission – as there is no reason why it should access all this information.
You can check the app permission status from an Android device as below –
Go to Settings > Permission Manager. You will get the list of features and apps that have permission to access those apps. You can disable or disallow that feature on that app.
3. Antivirus
Though it sounds obvious, many people don’t have a trusted antivirus app or program on their Android device. Antivirus or anti-malware apps help you protect your device from hackers. When you browse the internet, different types of malware such as – Trojan horse, worms, viruses, etc can get installed on your device.
From email attachments to files downloaded from the internet, there are several ways in which your device is likely to be infected. Some malware gets downloaded on the mobile without notice. The best antivirus for Android will help you scan the device periodically and notify you every time something downloads to your device.
4. Avoid public wi-fi
Avoid using public wi-fi to access the internet from your android device. You cannot be sure if the public wi-fi is 100% safe and secure. Also, make sure to disable the auto wi-fi connect feature on your device. It is advised to switch off the wi-fi, when not in use.
Hackers often exploit insecure connections and steal the data from devices connected across the unsecured network. If you have to use the internet, enable the hotspot and keep it password protected. You can also reduce the risk of getting hacked on public wi-fi by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that passes the web traffic via a private and encrypted channel.
The hackers and cybercriminals won’t be able to read them, interpret and modify your data because of the VPN encryption facility. All you need to do is install the VPN app and turn it on when you are using public wi-fi.
5. Two-factor authentication
Make your android device safe fromhackers by using two-factor authentication. It is no longer an option but mandatory to enable two-factor authentication in android phones. If you are not using Google – you need to start using it immediately.
To enable two-factor authentication in your android device, follow the below steps –
- Open android device’s settings and tap on Accounts > Google Account
- Tap security and sign into Google
- Tap the 2FA and click on get started
Complete the steps on the screen to complete 2FA on your phone.
6. Block permissions and notifications
It is wise to deny access to the android phone to unrecognized people, software, and website. You can control the people by using screen and app locks with ease. However, blocking unauthorized websites is a difficult task.
Only allow apps with a good reputation to send notifications. You can run background checks to validate the apps and going through their privacy policy.
Do not make the mistake of disabling Android update alerts. Blocking the android alerts will make your smartphone vulnerable to attacks.
7. Use Android Device Manager
Android Device Manager is one of the useful features that can help you locate your Android phone. It comes in handy when tracking and getting back the stolen or lost device. Using Android Device Manager, you can even erase all the data or reset the Android device completely.
If your device happens to lose or is stolen, this security feature helps you locate and remotely lock or wipe your Android device. It can be installed and used effortlessly. All you need to do is just install it and connect it to your Google account to secure your device.
Bottom line
Protecting your android phone from hackers can be done in simple steps. The best way to secure your android phone from hackers is –
- Do not underestimate the power of an antivirus program
- Use trusted security tools
- Be vigilant when browsing or downloading from the internet
We hope this article will help you strengthen the security posture of your android device.
