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How to increase Android Security

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Android security: 13 essential tips to make your phone safe. Today, the handheld we call Smartphone is home to all of our digital life. But with the advent of mobile payments and online banking, the line between your virtual world and the physical world is becoming more and more blurred. We all remember to close the door of our house locked and the curtains at night to keep out anyone or see what's on the house, but sometimes are too lax when it comes to mobile security. So, to help you start living a digital life safer, we covered 13 simple tips that you should follow to make your Android device more secure from now.

Tip 1: Use a lock screen insurance

The first tip is by far the most important of all about the safety of your Smartphone Android. If (and hopefully never happen) is you lose your phone or worse, stolen, safe lock screen would be the only barrier between the thief and all your passwords, images, conversations and keep important documents on your Smartphone. To set a screen lock safely, go to the menu settings of your Smartphone, then "Security" and click "Lock Screen". From there, you can choose a series of movements, or PIN, or password. In some devices, you can use the option of fingerprint scanner.

Thereafter, you will be asked to insert your security code twice, but once you're done, your Smartphone will be much safer than before. The next time you unlock your device, you securely lock screen will appear. Just put your password and access it.

Tip 2: Enable Smart Lock features

Google is aware that users tend to avoid activating the screen safe lock, because it tends to complicate things a bit, but as you know how important it is, has added a new feature in Android 5.0 that lets you avoid the lock screen secure in some cases. The option is called “Smart Lock” and the premise is simple - if your Smartphone is in a safe environment, no safe lock screen will appear. To enable this option, go back to the menu "security", but this time chooses "option Smart Lock "(note that the screen lock option must be activated first). From here, you should see several options, and this is what makes each:

  • Trusted Devices: The secure lock screen will not appear when you are connected to a Bluetooth or NFC device known.
  • A reliable: The safe lock screen will not appear when the device is in a predetermined location (at home, at work, etc.).
  • Face of confidence: The Secure Lock will not appear when the front screen of your phone detects your face.
  • Trusted voice: The secure locking not appears to "Ok Google "when the user's voice is recognized.
  • Detection in-body: The lock will not appear safe when, after setting the password; have continued to use the device without releasing.

With the options of Smart Lock properly configured, your device will be more secure because you'll have a safe lock screen enabled, but also do not have to worry about putting the password when you're in a place of trust.

Tip 3: Enable two-step verification

Whereas Google and Android are almost synonymous today, if someone accesses your account from Google, the security of your device would be compromised. To combat this, you can add an extra layer of security to your Google account, called 2-step verification, requiring a second code you have to insert after your password. The trick to this is that the code will only be sent to your mobile phone, which means that no one can come into your account Google without having physical access to your device. To enable2-step verification for your account Google, go to this link , and then follow the simple steps. We recommend that you follow this step from a PC for convenience.

Tip 4: Configure your Android Device Manager

All phones and tablets Android have a great modern tool called Android Device Manager inside. This allows you to block remotely, you delete and locate your device if it ever falls into the wrong hands. This feature should be enabled by default, but to be safe, go back to the menu "security" and select "Device Administrators". From here, make sure the option is enabled Android Device Manager, and if not, hit "activate". With Android Device Manager enabled, you can use this link  to control your phone or tablet remotely, or you can just type "Find My Phone" (find my phone) in the search for Google . 

Tip 5: Make sure "Verify Applications" is enabled

Android is now able to scan your device in search of malware automatically, and does a great job. This option is enabled by default in Android 5.0 and above, but for guys who are still in KitKat or less, is a great security service should manually activate if they have not already done so. To begin, you will have to direct the menu "security" and then down to the section "Device Administrators". From there, be sure that the option Check apps is enabled, and you are already protected.

Tip 6: Install applications only from trusted sources

Although Android is able to scan your applications for viruses and malware, you should never blindly trust a solution as well. Instead, before you install any application, do a quick search on Google to see if that application and its developer are legit. Or else, at least, install applications only from trusted sources. Sources like the Google Play Store or the Amazon Appstore can be trusted, but beware download APK files from unknown web pages.

Tip 7: Uninstall applications that ask too many permits

Android uses what is known as a system of permits to allow access to certain parts of your phone to applications their request. Unfortunately, until Android Marshmallow reach all terminals, these permissions are handled on an approach of "all or nothing", and your only option to deny access to an application that is asking you not to install it. Some applications ask many permits, and this security risk means that if the application can access certain parts of your phone, also can the developers. To find out what applications your phone are out of control in the issue of requests for permits, I suggest you install an application called Permission Friendly Apps. Scan your installed applications and qualify in order of how many permits have been requested. The higher the score, the higher the security risk. Once you've identified those applications that you ask permission on your Smartphone or Tablet, the safest bet is to uninstall and seek alternative applications requesting fewer permits in the Play Store .

Tip 8: Use antivirus application

Although Android malware automatically locate and without disturbing, antivirus application will give you more peace and show the results of their scans. There are many good options, such as Avast , AVG or Kaspersky .

Tip 9: Encrypt your data

I know the word "encrypt" can be scary to some, but it is an incredibly simple concept. Think of it as all data from your mobile device are mixed so that an outsider can not understand a word, but once the password is written, everything is back in place automatically. With a device Android , encrypt your data is incredibly easy. Simply go to the menu "security" and press the "Encrypt phone" option. From here, make sure your phone or tablet are fully charged and connected to the charger. Then and only then, click the "Encrypt phone" button.

Depending on how much data you have stored on your device, the process may take an hour or more, so keep your phone plugged in and be patient. When finished, all data on your phone will be totally useless to anyone outside, but you just have to decrypt the phone and re-letting as before entering the code, PIN or password that you have on your screen safe lock.

Tip 10: Do not connect to Wi-Fi unknown

One of the biggest potential security risks on your Smartphone or Tablet is the network to which it is connected. All traffic passing through this connection is enabled by default, so if you're not familiar with a network Wi-Fi, it is best that you do not connect to it first. The hotspots are generally some form of security that prevents multiple devices connected to them talk to each other. But if you are not sure about the security of a network specifically, it is best not connect.

Tip 11: Use an external web browser

Speaking of web traffic and internet, the default Internet browser on your device is probably your biggest security hole. If you are using the browser that came with your phone or tablet, the problem is usually not receiving updates until all your phone receives an update. Instead, consider an external browser to download the Play Store , you should receive updates to block new security holes that are discovered. One of the safest and most functional among browsers available is the browser of GoogleChrome , which is always updated with the latest security patches.

Tip 12: Keep your device updated

Continuing the importance of the updates for your security, your Smartphone or Tablet receive firmware updates occasionally hands of the manufacturer. Some users refuse to update their devices by fear of change, but it is a very important security measure because the exploits and holes in the system Android which are arranged in each update the firmware. To see if your device needs an update now, come to the "on my phone" or "on my Tablet" in the configuration menu. From here, select "System Update" and will install all available updates, if any. Generally you will receive a notification when there is a firmware update list.

Tip 13: If you're rooted, install a trusted application on root management

Finally, if you're a rooted user, this means that your applications can have full access to your entire system. If an application with root permissions had malicious intent, you'd have the greatest security risk of all. The easiest way to prevent applications to gain full access to your system is, in this case, install an application root management as SuperSU .This application monitors requests root of the other applications on your phone, and then gives you the option to allow or deny such access - meaning that any application can gain full access to your system without your permission.

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