So, you have a shiny new Android phone and you want to use it immediately, but stop! Before you go any further, take a moment to secure your phone and prevent your private data from falling into the wrong hands.
Screen lock
Setting up a screen lock is the easiest way to secure your personal data if your phone gets lost or stolen. Many devices now have fingerprint or eye scanner security, but even a simple pin lock, pattern lock or password lock will deter most thieves. This is easy to do and could save you a great deal of heartache if you misplace your phone.
Install a security app
Head to Google Play from your phone and choose from the myriad of Security Applications available. Most are free but many now come with ‘Pro’ versions that you pay extra for.
The best known apps are from companies that you may have encountered on your PC, such as Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, McAfee and Norton Security, however there are also many other great apps available, including CM Security, 360 Security, Dr.Web and BitDefender.
Personally, I use a potent combination of HiSecurity, BitDefender, and Avast!
Keep your OS and apps up-to-date
Many application updates address security issues as well as adding new features, so ensure that you do update your apps when prompted. Likewise, an OS (Operating System) update, although not very frequent, is an update that you should consider strongly.
Use secure Wi-Fi
At Home: Ensure that you have a strong password in place to stop others accessing your home network.
Out & About: Nowadays, you probably take your mobile phone everywhere with you. It’s very easy to sit at a café or bar and connect to free Wi-Fi, but be very careful, public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured and can easily be used to the advantage of data-thieves. Using a VPN is your safest bet, but I will write more on that another day.
Well, that’s all the space I have for now. Keep safe!
This ‘Technology’ article was written for an expat magazine in Spain. The readers of this magazine are often middle to old aged and not very technology minded so we have designed the articles with these people in mind, however they can be enjoyed by everyone, and perhaps even the most up-to-date techie may find them of interest too!
