There is a lot of sensitive data stored in our devices. Multiple mobile devices can access our online profiles, messages, and financial information. By taking precautions to secure these devices, you can be assured that your private data will remain just that and will never be shared with any unauthorised parties.
Preventing unauthorised access to the information stored on your smartphone is easier than you would think.
How To Make Your Android Phone Secure?
If you’re worried about the safety of your Android device, here are six simple steps you can take right now to give yourself some piece of mind.
Maintain a Recent Operating System Version.
Operating system updates correct problems and close security loopholes that have been discovered. If you haven’t updated to the current version, security holes could allow hackers to access your personal information.
Some users put off updating their OS because they don’t want to deal with possible glitches, but this might cause serious problems down the road. What you need to know about Android 13, the most recent version of the Android operating system.
Authentication must be Activated.
In the event that your Android account password is compromised, 2FA will provide an additional degree of protection.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) involves sending a second message to another device after entering a password to confirm that you are attempting to log in.
While this does lengthen the time it takes to log in, the added protection it provides is well worth the wait. How to activate two-factor authentication is detailed below.
Employ a Secure Password Manager.
A password manager is useful if you have difficulties remembering and creating complex passwords for all of your online accounts. These tools complement 2FA by storing passwords safely and automatically filling login pages.
In addition, they can shield you from phishing attacks, which attempt to trick you into giving over sensitive information by posing as a legitimate website. Password managers Bitwarden, LastPass, and 1Password are discussed in detail in CNET’s evaluations.
Put Your Android through Some Encryption
Manufacturers of Android devices were under Google’s mandatory encryption mandate beginning in 2015. In truth, the default security setting on a Pixel, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 6, or Nexus 9 device is encryption.
Device encryption ensures that sensitive information can only be accessed with the owner’s personal passcode, fingerprint, pattern, or other authentication method. Google can’t get into your phone without the key. Here’s how you encrypt your data on a device that doesn’t do it automatically.
Get your information off Google.
Since Android is made by Google, it’s possible that the company’s servers might store user data in an unencrypted form. Google lets you see what information it has stored on you and lets you erase that information if you so want.
Although it may be time-consuming, it is well worth it to ensure that your information is not accessible to thieves. If you’d like Google to erase some or all of your personal information, you can do so through this link, but keep in mind that Google makes no promises to actually delete your data.
Erase Your Phone if Everything Else Fails.
It is possible to delete all data from a lost or stolen phone using a remote system. If there’s anything important on your phone, you should get into the habit of regularly backing it up to another device before doing this. Learn how to permanently erase all data from your Android handset here.
