Android devices are more likely to get hacked. No matter how much guarantee the smartphone provides to the users. The information is compromised by spam apps or links. Especially, privacy lovers always prefer to secure their Android devices. Here we’ve shared with you Steps to Secure your Android device.
However, the security patch level provided by today’s generation of smartphones keeps updating along with their firmware officially. But still, there are many chances that your privacy may get compromised. If you are one of them who wants to keep your android secure at any cost.
In this article, we’ve managed to provide simple steps to secure your device with some basic built-in utilities. So let’s get started.
Steps to Secure your Android device
Note: all the steps and methods provided below are already built-in on your Android device, so no need for any extra utilities or third-party options.
1. Lock Screen
This is the primary security that every Android user must do, any unknown user can not unlock your smartphone if the screen lock is already set. So we recommend you set a strong screen lock to secure your Android devices.
- Go to Settings of your device.
- Under security tap Privacy.
- Now, tap on the Lock screen to set.
Now, after this, you can actually choose to keep security options like Face lock, PIN, Pattern Lock, Fingerprint.
However, fingerprint authorization & face lock is also not a secured option. For example, suppose your college takes your phone and placed in front of your face. your smartphone will be unlocked without letting you know, so these are not secured options to keep your phone private.
So we recommend you keep PIN and Pattern lock as these options are best to keep the phone secure.
2. Find My Device
This option is very effective if you lost your phone. Google’s Find My Device feature will help you to find your phone if you lost it somewhere. Suppose if you want to locate your device, directly go to Google’s Find My Device page in a browser or app and sign in with your Google Account. This option will allow you to locate your phone by a loud sound so that you will know where you kept your phone in the house or elsewhere.
- Go to Settings.
- Under settings go to Security options.
- Now, tap on Find My Device to set.
- Also, go to Settings > Location, to make sure your device can use the location for function.
3. Google Play Protect
Google play protect will help you find any malware apps or any shady apps on your device. It is also known as the most widely deployed mobile threat protection service in the world.
To enable Google Play Protect:
- Go to Settings.
- Now, go to Security.
- Under Settings tap on Google Play Protect.
Now, you can scan your phone to keep it secure.
4. Google’s Security Checkup
Google’s security Checkup will secure your Google account, as your Android phone is mostly tied with your Google account. This option will help to remove the old devices, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and removing the third-party apps.
To enable Google’s Security Checkup
- Go to Setting and tap on Google.
- Under the Google section, tap on Manage your Google Account.
- Now, scroll over to Security and tap on the Secure account.
5. Safe Browsing in Chrome
The chrome browser helps you to browse safely on websites. If any threat stuff you came across this option will help to prevent it. Because the Chrome browser is a default browser on Android devices so make sure you enable this option to secure your device.
- Launch the Chrome browser, tap on three-dot on the top right corner, and tap on Settings.
- Make sure Safe browsing is turned on by taping on Sync and google services.
You can also do some extra things like enable Warn you if the password is exposed data breach.
6. Manage App Permissions
Third-party apps are the reason to leak personal information such as location and contacts. So you can stop such activities to secure your android device.
- Go to Settings.
- Under settings, tap on Privacy.
- Now, tap on the permission manager to view permission.
give permissions to the apps which are necessary.
7. Lockdown Mode
Lockdown mode will allow you to hide all the notifications on the screen lock. The lockdown option will help you to increase the chances of security. For example, if you suspect any law enforcement might force you to unlock your device.
- Visit Settings > Display > Lock Screen Display.
- Now, tap on the lockdown option button.
- After putting your phone on Lockdown, hold the power button, and tap on Lockdown.
- Just insert a PIN or pattern lock to unlock your device.
8. Emergency Info
Emergency info can potentially save your life by adding some emergency contact and other health info. To enable this:
- Visit Settings > About Phone.
- Under About the phone section, tap on Emergency options.
Just set up your emergency contacts, medical information, etc. you can display the emergency on the lock screen.
9. Don’t Allow Unknown Install Sources
You may have come across these options many times to enable unknown sources. This allows you to install the APK files from anywhere. But we recommend you disable this option unless you needed it, as it gives permission to install third-party apps. To disable it:
- Go to Settings.
- Now, tap on App manager and choose the app that you want to disable the unknown install sources.
So that it guys, we almost covered all the privacy settings. Now, you can keep your Android device secured. If you’ve any queries let us know in the comment section below. You can also follow us on Google News or Telegram group for real-time notifications whenever Gadget Headline publishes any post. Till then stay tuned.
