Securing Your Android Smartphone

With all these Android vulnerabilities, viruses and hackers out there today, securing your phone is a must for anyone. I'll explain some simple ways you can secure your phone.

Encrypt Your Phone

Encrypting your phone is easy and is a built-in function of Android, so you won't need to download any extra apps for this. It encrypts all your files, which means that no one can access anything on your phone without typing in your password.
This function can usually be accessed under Developer Options or Security in your phone's settings. Select, and it will take about an hour to complete the whole process.

Regularly Update Your Phone

Hopefully you have a smartphone which has regular firmware updates. If this is the case, you should always download any new updates that are available, since these updates will likely fix vulnerabilities on your smartphone. Less vulnerabilities mean better security.

Secure the Lock Screen

Securing your phone with a password is required when encrypting it, but if you don't want to encrypt your phone, I would recommend securing your lock screen with a password. This prevents any unauthorized access to your phone. If you have a fingerprint scanner, use it.

Install an Antivirus

Having an antivirus installed is a must for anyone who values security. These apps regularly scan your phone for any malicious files or apps. A good option is 360 Security and there are many more out there.

Use Common Sense

Using common sense is really important today since there are many things out there which rely on a person being naive and falling into a trap.
Don't click on any ads. They have no way to see if your phone is slow or if you have a virus on it. Also, don't install just any app from Google Play. Check the reviews first and do some research. Don't keep really sensitive info on your phone in the first place.

As the old saying goes, "better safe than sorry". Securing your smartphone may take time and effort, but it's definitely worth it.