Security for mobile phones is just as vital as that of desktop or laptop computers. More people use smartphones than desktops to access the internet these days. Every Android device has access to its settings, and security guards against unauthorised access, data breaches, and other online dangers. Sadly, not all of these settings are readily apparent. The key settings you need to employ to safeguard your Android device are the main topic of this essay.11
Ways to Protect Your Android Device
1. Improvements to lock screen security
Secure your mobile phone using a password, pattern, or biometric authentication (such as a thumbprint) to guarantee that no one else may access it. On your device, you can configure this as follows:
- Get the phone’s Settings open.
- After selecting Security, Lock Screen
- Select the lock screen feature that you wish to use.
- To finish the procedure, adhere to the on-screen directions.
If you decide to use pass code protection, be sure the code is both something you won’t forget and something that others won’t be able to figure out. You can now prevent unauthorised access to your phone.
2. Review of app permissions
Almost every programme you download for your phone will request access to different phone capabilities, settings, or information, like your location, microphone, camera, and so on. You should audit your apps and limit app permissions in order to stop too many third-party apps from accessing your personal data. This guarantees that apps only access the data they need to run. This is how you do it:
- Open the Android Settings app.
- Press the Security & Privacy Access Permission Manager button.
You’ll see a list of different app permissions. Upon selecting a certain permission, a list of approved apps and their permitted uses will appear.
To change an app’s access level, click on it.
Examine each app’s permissions one by one until the audit is complete
3. The Find My Device function
You can use the Find My Device feature on any Android phone. This is useful in the event that your phone is stolen, lost, or misplaced. This feature not only aids in phone location, but it also allows you to remotely lock and delete data from a stolen or lost phone. Here’s how to utilise and activate this fantastic feature:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Press the Security & Privacy option. Locate My Device
- If the app isn’t activated by default, turn it on.
You can use any web browser on any computer or device to find your phone if you ever need to for any reason.
- Enter the address com/find.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Find the exact position of your device on a map.
- Go find your misplaced phone, or if needed, remotely lock and wipe its contents.
4. Secure Browsing Configurations
Chrome is typically the default web browser on Android smartphones and comes with Safe Browsing activated. Your smartphone is shielded from harmful websites and unwanted downloads by this security feature. Additionally, if you try to open a questionable or dangerous website, it will alert you. To enable or deactivate “Enhanced Safe Browsing,” take the following actions:
- Launch the Chrome web browser.
- In the upper right corner, tap the three-dot menu symbol.
- Choose Settings.
- Press the Privacy & Security button.
- Choose Safe Browsing and, if not already, turn it on.
- Enable Enhanced Protection by tapping on it as well.
5. Setting up two-factor authentication (2FA)
It’s a good idea to utilise 2FA (two-factor authentication) for all of your apps that allow it, including Google accounts. It offers an extra degree of protection to stop unauthorised access to such accounts. Follow these steps to configure 2FA:
- Go to Settings.
- Press Go into Google Account Management and choose the Security tab.
- Find 2-Step Verification, then adhere to the directions.
6. Frequently updated software
Because every update brings security fixes and new features, it’s imperative that you always maintain the operating system and loaded apps on your smartphone up to date. This allows you to access interesting new features and improves the security of your mobile phone.
When using a smartphone, security is crucial, and updates help keep your phone safe from online threats. You’ll receive notifications about available updates from both your operating system and specific apps.
- Launch the Google Play Store application.
- In the upper right corner, tap the profile symbol.
- Choose Manage Device & Apps.
- If any app shows an Update Available, tap Update.
7. Limitations on ad tracking
To improve the security and privacy of your saved data, you should turn on Limit Ad Tracking (LAT) on your phone. This restricts the gathering of information for marketing reasons. It also aids in safeguarding your private data. Here’s how to configure it:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Choose Google and then Ads.
8. Disable Ad Personalisation. App background checks
Numerous programmes on smartphones persist in operating in the background, even when you’re not utilising them. Data breaches and battery drain are two possible outcomes of this. You should take the following actions to keep an eye on and limit background app activity:
- Go to Settings.
- Choose Internet & Network.
- Select a mobile network.
- After selecting Data Usage Access Data Saving, select Unrestricted Apps.
- Turn off any apps you wish to impose restrictions on
9. Turning off unused services
On occasion, you may need to disable some services on your Android device. Many services run continuously, such as NFC, Bluetooth scanning, Google Location History, and others. In addition to improving user experience, turning these off while not in use guards against security flaws. To turn them off, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Location
- Turn off services and applications like Google Location History and Bluetooth
10. Safe Sources for Apps
Although almost any website allows you to download apps for your phone, you shouldn’t. To ensure smartphone security and prevent installing malware through an app, it’s critical to only download and install apps from reliable sources. Download programmes only from reputable websites, such as the Google Play Store or the official website of the developer of the mobile application.
11. An assessment of privacy settings
For features like location, camera access, microphone access, and more, you should routinely check your phone’s privacy settings. All of these features’ privacy settings can be managed in one location using the Permission Manager or Privacy Dashboard. To manage your privacy settings, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Press the Privacy button.
- On Android 12 and higher, tap the Permission Manager (also known as the Privacy Dashboard).
- One by one, go through each permission and select Deny for any app that you don’t want to use for a certain phone feature.
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