12 Simple security tips every android user must know!

In my opinion, the Android platform has got to be the most popular operating system dedicated to a variety of handheld devices namely the Smartphones and tablet gadgets designed for the average user to the sophisticated tech junkies worldwide.

Its popularity evidently characterized by its open source nature and its embracement of both market extremes in catering to both low end and high end consumers. Unlike its competitors, the Apple’s ios and RIM’S Blackberry OS which solely cater for those with deep enough pockets, it has managed to curve a niche into the much appraised Smartphone arena and has somehow acted as a ‘savior’ to those consumers who require the services of a reliable Smartphone yet face budget constraints to that effect.

It is by this easy availability and affordability that sometimes quality and security may at times be sidelined in-order to cater for the lower market segment. Consequently, this has resulted in the manipulation of certain security flaws in which hackers/anyone with ill intentions may gain illegal access to your device and attain identity theft.

Nonetheless, this should not deter anyone form embracing the android platform especially those individuals owning cheap, low end Smartphones . Just by following the below tips, you can afford your android device the comfort and security of an impenetrable fortress.

Just try them, feel free to thank me later.

Enable Screen lock

The screen lock is the premier security option that barricades unauthorized users from accessing the contents of your android device or performing various tasks with it. It is a vital yet under looked security feature that comes disabled by default with every android device.

To enable it, go to:

Menu > Settings > Security > Set Up screen Lock

In the ‘set up screen lock’ option, you have the choice of setting the lock using:

Pattern- Draw a pattern by connecting at least 4 dots.

PIN- Enter a numeric PIN consisting of at least 4 digits.

Password- Enter a password consisting of at least 4 characters.

Avoid using the ‘Pattern’ screen lock setting

Despite the awesomeness of locking your screen using a pattern instead of the conventional PIN or password, the probability of your phone being compromised is somewhere between 70% and 72% depending on the intruder’s asthma level.

Why is this so???You may ask. Well……….. locking your screen using a pattern lock is like jamming chewing gum in your car door to keep it shut from car thieves. The reason am saying this is that the ‘Pattern lock’ uses a series of connecting at least 4 dots without any intervals. Once you start connecting the dots, your finger should NOT leave the screen until the end of the pattern.

You can be ingenious with your pattern however much you want but that would only reduce the percentage of it being cracked by only 2% bringing it to 68%.

A pattern lock can be cracked by simply exhaling on the screen until visible pattern lines appear then with a simple tilting of the device to adjust the light reflection off the screen, the intruder can easily follow the trail of your finger.

Strengthen your PIN or Password

If you decide to go the PIN or Password way, then you should be liberal in your choice. Do NOT go for the obvious birth dates  anniversary or wedding dates or anything associated with an event of your life. If you have to, be ingenious by mixing up the numbers or modifying them so that only you can decipher them.

Same goes for the password, NO partner’s names, children’s names, workplace or any obvious guess that may give it away.

Update the Android OS

Google updates its Android OS multiple times a year, but not all devices receive the update at the same time depending on the carrier and manufacturer of most android devices.

To check whether your updates are available (requires internet access), go to:

Menu > Settings > About Phone > System Updates

In the event that your carrier is slow in releasing the updates, you can opt to root your device and install the updates manually after they are released.

Avoid unsecured Wi-Fi networks

Statistics show that free internet is one of the greatest gifts to mankind second to McDonald outlets and Chuck Norris jokes. Personally, the discovery of free Wi-Fi is like the equivalent of finding the Holy Grail….Priceless!

Disable installation of non-play store apps

Your phone and personal data are more vulnerable to attack by applications from unknown sources through installation of malware or virus which may lead to the damage of one’s device or loss of data.

To disable this feature, go to:

Settings > Applications > Unknown sources

Back up and secure phone data

Data stored in the phone e.g. contacts, photos & documents should be securely backed up to a computer, external SD card or cloud storage ready for restoration in case of theft, loss or accidental erasing.

Wipe all phone data upon re-sale

When transferring possession of your android device, it is wise to completely erase all personal data from it by performing a factory data reset.

To do this, go to:

Settings > Privacy > Personal Data > Factory data reset

Before doing this, it is also advisable to backup all your data so as to restore it in another device.

Understand app permissions before accepting them

Most apps installed from the Google play store tend to access personal information or perform various functions on your device. It is wise to read through the app’s privacy settings before deciding to install it.

Install security apps that enable remote location and wiping.

An important security feature widely available on Smartphones, either by default or as an app, is the ability to remotely locate and erase all of the data stored on your phone, even if the phone’s GPS is off.

In the case that you misplace your phone, some applications can activate a loud alarm, even if your phone is on silent. These apps can also help you locate and recover your phone when lost.

Install app locking security apps

There exists a variety of apps that offer a ‘password lock’ feature for the applications installed in your android device.

This comes in handy to lock sensitive apps like Email apps, Blogger app, WordPress app, Facebook app, twitter app, Linked In app and many others containing sensitive information.

An example of such an app is ‘App Lock’ available in the Google Play store.

Install vault apps for secure storage of data

Vault apps are apps that hide and secure phone data like contacts, photos, videos, call logs etc behind a password fed vault.

An example of such an app is ‘Vault’ which is available in Google play store. Its free features include:

- Secure and hidden storage of:

- Photos and videos

- SMS and call logs up to a maximum of 100 messages

- Private contacts (when a contact is added into the vault, any messages and call records from that contact will be automatically imported into the vault and hidden from the phone’s SMS and call logs)

- Facebook messages (privately chat with Facebook friends through encrypted messages that do not display in your Facebook account)

The premium features include:

- Private data back-up and cloud storage

- SMS and call log storage of up to 10,000 messages

- Break in alerts (receive alerts whenever someone tries to access the vault with an incorrect password and even takes pictures)

- Stealth mode (make the vault icon disappear from the phone’s app screen)

- Fake vault (create a fake vault to protect the data in the real vault)

So there you have it, all you need to know regarding android security. Most of these features may cut across the various android versions. If you need any point clarified or would like to offer any suggestion, please feel free to drop a comment below.