15 Ways To Make Android More Secure in 2024

At present, most world populations prefer Android smartphones for online activities. Your Android phone stores all sensitive information including images, social media account details, email, and more. Unfortunately, according to expert analysis, Android phones do not have a default security feature, making them a potential target for surveillance, hackers, spies, and third parties. As a result, protecting your Android phone is very important. This guide outlines the best way to secure Android smartphones from cyberspace attacks.

15 Ways To Make Android More Secure
15 Android More Secure Tips

Because more than 60% of people use mobile devices to shop and get online information today, smartphones now define digital identity and business presence. And according to Statista data, more than 70% of mobile users globally use Android. It makes it important to secure Android devices.

15 Android More Secure Tips

Changes in the modern world relying on smartphones not only add value to our lives but also offer serious concerns related to safety and hacking. You lose more than just your contact if you lose your smartphone.

Most people use smartphones to access social media accounts, business emails, website admin sections, and important documents. Other items that are now managed through smartphones include business, and marketing strategy documents, synchronized files, photos, and many other things.

If you don’t protect your Android device, all your data are at risk. That’s because anyone can track and steal information from your unsafe mobile and mobile devices.

When talking about smartphones, you need to distinguish between iOS and Android phones. According to experts, Android phones are not as safe as iOS phones.

Therefore, those who have Android phones need to think about data security actively. If you are one of them, I will guide you to the easy ways that will help you protect and secure your Android phone.

For the best protection of your device, all you need is to take the time to use security settings that have an impact in addition to choosing to use some important tools.

Interestingly, most of these tools and arrangements are not advanced. It’s just that people continue to ignore these options and make their devices vulnerable.

Without further ado, here are the top 15 ways to keep your Android safe from online attackers and make it safer as a whole.

1. Use phone locks

Using a telephone key is the first and most important thing to keep your Android phone safe. Many may see it as a simple tip, but technically, the phone without a key is more likely to lose data (which can be very destructive).

Locking the screen is very helpful in many ways. For example, if a snatcher runs away with your cellphone and has your credit card information, it will take a big time to unlock. When he tries to solve your telephone lock, you can block credit cards and bank accounts that are active on the device.

What kind of password should I use for cellular locking? I heard you ask.

Well, the old way is the best – PIN code.

All types of remaining passwords can be hacked (or predictable) easily compared to the PIN code. So, while the PIN code might be one of the oldest security features from Android, it still stands out.

For easy improvement here, you can switch to Android smart key features. It also makes the security of your device less disturbing without allowing it to be fully vulnerable.

Android Smart Lock makes your smartphone unlocked at any time in a trusted place like your office or home. It also makes your device unlocked when connected to a trusted Bluetooth device such as an earbud, your car multimedia system, or a smartwatch.

2. VPN Use

Encrypting an internet connection is the best way when you don’t know how to make Android safer like iOS. It is only possible if you set VPN on your smartphone.

VPN (or virtual personal network) adds an additional layer of security to your internet connection, so it makes sense that you want to have it on your device.

After all, we are very dependent on mobile devices to stay connected to the world, either via email, social media, or sending messages to the people around us.

So, you now know that you can use VPN with your cellphone safely.

However, there are risks involved if you finally choose the shade provider. That is why you have to choose a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN.

Apart from its reliability, trust, fast speed, and excellent customer support, this VPN provider is interesting because it offers special applications for all main devices.

Thanks to the Android ExpressVPN application, it is very easy for me to do it on my device when I test it personally. You can follow this five-step easy process to set and start using a VPN on your Android device:

3. Use two-factor authentication

To make your Android phone safe from hackers, many online portals and websites have introduced two factors of authentication. That no longer remains an option in this Cybertacks era.

So, if you don’t use it for Google accounts and social media (for example), you must immediately enter it.

Two -factors authentication, also known as 2FA, helps you keep your account safe from hackers.

With 2FA, when you try to open an account from your smartphone, it will send a code to your mobile number and email address. In this way, you have a two-way security check to enter your account.

Activating 2FA verification on Android is quite easy;

  • Open your Android device settings. Then open Google, then the Google account.
  • Tap Security (available at the top of most Android devices).
  • Find “enter Google,” and then tap 2FA (most likely will be labeled as 2 -step verification).
  • Tap the start button.
  • Follow the last steps you see on the screen to complete 2FA activation on your cellphone.

4. Download apps only from the Google Play Store

Don’t use a third-party application store to download any application, because many types of malware and viruses enter your cellphone this way. This is an easy approach for hackers to access your device.

Another important aspect that you need to care about is avoiding the use of united applications. Even if they are available on the Google App Store, don’t use them unless you know the developer well.

While such shady applications often reach the Play Store, Google’s algorithm identifies and deletes them quickly. So, give time to the technology giants to eliminate the shady application and bugs. As for you, use the application only if you are sure about its reliability and security.

5. Use anti-virus software

This helps solve your Android security problems such as finding malware or bugs on smartphones.

Although, Google Play Protect by default oversees typical malware. However, the antivirus will come to save you and strengthen your Android security.

Some recommended quality antivirus software available in the market include Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus and Norton Mobile Security.

6. Do not use WiFi and Bluetooth connections in an unknown place

You never know how many hackers are moving around you. And, it becomes easier for hackers to access your Android phone when you are connected to public wifi. The same thing applies to Bluetooth connections.

So, to protect your Android phone from hackers, use the internet that is not known only in severe situations.

(However, if you really need to use it, see this guide to using public wifi in a safe way.)

7. Enable Android’s “Find My Device” feature

This default feature makes your Android phone beside the data in it safe for a larger level.

Turning on “Find my device” helps you prevent data loss or find your lost device (as the name suggests) in situations like your cellphone being stolen.

To activate the “Find My Device” feature on your Android device;

  • Go to settings.
  • Scroll down and click Google.
  • Next, scroll down and tap Security.
  • Now tap find my device and then tap the slider that appears to change it to the on position.
  • By activating this feature, you can track your smartphone from anywhere.

The only thing you need is to visit www.android.com/find and enter using the Google account that you have used on your mobile. Then the application will track your smartphone in seconds.

Also, remember to keep your location on the device always to take advantage of this feature.

8. Browse in safe mode

You must always use Google Chrome in normal situations because this is the Default Android browser. Also, can warn you in cases such as opening unsecured websites.

Another important technique that can help keep your android phone protected is “safe search mode.”

To use this option, just follow these steps.

  • Launch Chrome browser on your Android device.
  • Tap the menu icon (three vertical points) in the toolbar.
  • Click the “new disguise window” entry. This will open Google Chrome in disguise mode, with all your add-ons deactivated. While in the first window, the Chrome browser will run normally.

I do not recommend using other browsers other than Chrome for safer exploration. If you need to do that, don’t forget to activate strong antivirus software.

In the end, it is all in your hands about how you make your Android device safe when exploring.

9. Use biometric authentication tools

The latest smartphone has a variety of authentication tools such as facial authentication and fingerprint authentication. They make it difficult for people who are not authentic to access your device.

The adoption and popularity of biometric authentication are increasing, practically, easier to press your fingertips on the sensor than to type a password.

Also, it’s more comfortable than carrying a security key. And more importantly, unlike passwords and pin codes, no one can guess or steal biometric authentication data, like your face.

Admittedly, there is an increased margin in this feature. However, hopefully, it will be much better in the upcoming Android version.

10. Block all types of notifications and permissions

It is important to deny access to your Android phone to everyone, websites, and software that is not recognized. Although you can control people by entering screen locks, blocking invalid websites is an uphill task.

Therefore, the best practice, in this case, is to keep third-party applications from your Android device.

Of course, the last thing you want is the distribution of your personal information that is not authentic. So, to avoid such situations, you must review the permission, which you give to certain applications.
Also, some applications send you a popup notification that must be handled.

Therefore, only allow the application to send notifications that have a good reputation. For this reason, run a background check by validating application developers and through the privacy policy of each application as a whole.

In addition, you should not disable the warning of Android updates, because blocking it means you allow malware and bugs to attack your smartphone (indirectly).

11. Update Android device whenever prompted

If you want to maintain an Android smartphone or another device that is completely safe, you must care to keep your applications and operating systems.

Does not update your OS (operating system) places the device at risk of various security threats. That’s because many malware and bugs can attack through a vulnerability in a longer software version.

The problem can be greater with several applications (and certain devices) that are a favorite for viruses and bugs. For example, Google Pixel is one Android phone that requires protection.

To overcome all problems like that, you must keep your smartphone updated regularly.

12. Rooting can be devastating

Android users like rooting because of the benefits that should be offered. Some people believe rooting increases battery life. Meanwhile, others argue that rooting helps in adjusting mobile phones, and installation of applications that are not available on Google Play.

However, when you root your device, the Android security model will be compromised at an extraordinary level.

Why? Because the root application has much more access to your device system when rooting.

Most types of malware consider the phone that is protruded and can attack at any time easier when compared to Android devices that are not rooted.

Not only cybersecurity experts at PrivacySavvy, all security experts out there recommend not to root Android.

13. Do not allow your smartphone to save passwords (for any application)

Most users usually save a password for all applications they usually use. This saves time and helps to avoid remembering passwords.

However, if you are serious about the security of your Android phone, it is not the recommended practice.

Along with avoiding not allowing applications to store passwords, you must also use a complex password (a combination of random characters).

But how do I remember all the passwords to be included again and again? I heard you ask.

For that, you can use a password manager, which functions as a two-face sword.

On the one hand, it will free you from remembering all the passwords, and on the other hand, your password will remain safe all the time.

One of the password managers that I can recommend with confidence is Lastpass.

14. Create multiple accounts

Back in 2014, with Android 5.0 Lollipop updates, Google introduced the “Some User” feature. Ironically, even today, many people have not realized it.

This feature is an important part of every Android tablet and phone. This allows users to share their Android devices with others exactly like Windows PCs without sharing any personal data.

With a multi-user Android profile, separate space is given to each user, linked to their own Google account. They can have applications, settings, messages, different home screens, and more.

You can use it to disguise hackers and other third parties who somehow access your device.

For example, if you create three different Google accounts and link them to three individual accounts that you add to your device, hackers will find it difficult to find a real account with the information he needs.

In addition, it will be difficult for them to unlock your device because some passwords will be needed.

Even if you don’t intend to share your device with many users, you still have to create several user accounts to maximize the protection of Android phones.

15. Backups are essential

Backup is a must-have process that every smartphone user needs to run.

You can store backups on Google Drive, one drive, a smart card, or an external hard drive. Doing this will make sure you have all your data with you safely, even if someone steals your cellphone or you lose your device.

In addition, consider destroying all personal data, which requires maximum protection, after storing it in all types of physical clouds or physical hard drives. That way, you will be able to keep your personal data away from hackers and kidnappers.

Recommending your Android device will also be useful if you recover your smartphone because you can take your old data easily.

Conclusion

Android phones are an easy target for hackers. Snatching smartphones are also very common throughout the world.

Both of these reasons (and many more) make the protection of Android phones important, especially for those who store sensitive data on their mobile devices and appreciate their privacy.

Because hackers continue to target smartphones with the latest techniques, it is important to remain updated about the best practice from a security point of view.

Modifications and best practices of security listed above will help you improve Android’s security and privacy with many things, stay in front of hackers, and ultimately secure your device effectively.

These tips will not only make Android safer but also keep your device quick and the latest. You will now be able to access limited content on the internet (thanks to the VPN solution discussed in the work).

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