From our article on how to protect yourself when downloading apps, a lot of you asked me to make a checklist with tips to fortify your Android smartphone’s security and privacy.
So here you go:
Check What Apps and Services Are Connected to Your Google Account
Head over to his Google website and go through each app and service connected to your account. You will be able to see all this and what access each has. For apps you no longer use or didn’t grant access to, you can tap on the app and then it will lead to the option of deleting the connections you have with that app or service.
Check What Devices Are Connected to Your Google Account?
Double-check which devices are still connected to your Google account here. We recommend removing devices you don’t have access to or no longer use.
Just go to Settings > Google services/settings > Security > Find My Device
Another secondary step is to enable Find My Device by going to Settings > Security & Privacy > Find My Device and then making sure location is on.
The Find My Devie can be accessed online by going to this website to see where your phone is in case you can’t find it.
Go through Your Android App Permissions
Go to your smartphone Settings > Apps or App Management > Permissions Manager to see what permissions you’ve given to apps. Check keenly which permissions have been granted to non-essential apps. If anything rouses your suspicion, then disable that permission or simply uninstall that app.
Do not revoke permissions to system apps.
Turn on Google Play Protect
Simply go to your smartphone Settings > Security & Privacy > Google Play Protect > Toggle on Scan device for security threats
Google Play Protect regularly checks your apps and devices for harmful behaviour. If any security risks are found, you’ll be notified. In case you downloaded a malicious app from the Play Store or sideloaded it and it came with malware, Google will alert you to uninstall it on your phone.
This feature works in the background and you’ll be notified if something suspicious shows up.
Check How Secure Is Your Device?
There are various ways to secure your phone – from PIN, Pattern or Password. Other phones even let you use biometric features like fingerprint reader and face unlock.
Android’s smart lock feature can be used in places you’ve pre-approved to be safe and to save you the convenience of unlocking your phone every time.
To enable this feature, head to Settings > Security & Privacy > Screen lock and passwords > Smart unlock
Check Your Google Saved Passwords
If you use Google to save your passwords, then head to their website to check and delete sites and passwords that you need to change or remove.
Get a Password Manager
Besides having Google manage your passwords, you can get a dedicated password manager app to fortify your passwords.
These managers like LastPass generate and store unique and secure passwords for sites you visit. the passwords get autofilled each time you visit that website again.
To make sure the password manager is safe too, check if it auto-locks when one for a while. It should be unlocked either by a PIN or fingerprint.
Enable 2-Factor/Multi-Factor Authentication
Enable 2-factor authentication on apps that allow this – most will recommend you do so. This security measure ensures that every time you log in to a site, another step is needed to verify access. You can choose between SMS(your phone number) or an authenticator app like Authy or Google Authenticator.
When you have these apps downloaded, make sure you add security measures to unlock them such as PIN or fingerprint.
You can also go the extra mile and use physical security keys.
The final step is to go to the Google security page to keenly check that you’re safe and other issues that need to be fixed that we have not talked about here. Once you’re done, then your smartphone’s security and privacy will be
