We live in a world of over half a billion Android devices – it’s the operating system of choice, and one of the best choices for mobile users.
However, a relatively large number of mobile devices in our global society aren’t very safe, and this can lead to a lot of problems in the long term.
As per apkshelf here are a few suggestions to help you stay safe in the long term with your Android devices.
1. Install an antivirus app
Having an antivirus app installed on your Android device can make all the difference when it comes to keeping you safe.
Your antivirus app can be installed manually by going to the Play Store, or if you already have a program, you can uninstall the old one.
Some users will already have their own smartphone antivirus apps installed, but others will not.
If you don’t have your own, you can use Android Security Scanner to check the free antivirus apps that are on offer on the Play Store.
There are plenty of these programs to choose from – just look through the results to find one that’s right for you.
2. Run regular security scans
You can do this by going to Settings and then System, then Security, then go to “Check for Updates”.
This will prompt you to download and install the latest security updates. If the security update list doesn’t offer any Android devices, go ahead and install all of the security updates currently available.
When the updates are installed, you’ll be given the opportunity to make a security update every time you set up your device.
You’ll also be given an opportunity to make automatic security updates that will download and install at regular intervals.
3. Use a PIN or password to lock your device
Providing you don’t fall victim to someone else hacking into your Android device and using it, the security of your device is your responsibility. Use a PIN or password to lock your device and only allow yourself to use it.
You can set up a password by going to Settings and then Security and then tap on your user name followed by “Turn on Password protection”. This will prompt you to make a new password, and you can change the default password too.
4. Install a mobile payment app
This one should probably be mandatory if you are going to use an Android device at all.
There are so many different smartphone payment systems out there, you could use one for everything – from buying food at a restaurant to buying a coat from a high street shop.
All Android devices come with a payment application installed, but you can install additional apps to make it easier to make mobile payments.
It’s a little like having a virtual credit card system on your Android phone, you can use this to pay for things that are bought online and in shops, as well as mobile payments made using your Android smartphone.
There are some apps that make mobile payments easy, such as Android Pay, but there are also plenty of mobile payment systems that don’t require a credit or debit card.
5. Avoid a malicious website
When you’re on a website, you’ll notice the logo for the domain you’re on your mobile device.
If that logo isn’t there, or if the website looks a little bit dodgy, you should probably think twice about visiting that site.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t go to a website because of one dodgy website, but it might be a good idea to stick to reputable websites.
You can do this by going to Settings and then Payment and Notifications, and then tapping on the notification icon on the right of the screen.
You’ll then get a list of your paid apps that you can use to pay at different websites.
Final Lines
These are just a few things you can do to increase the security of your Android device. For more security advice, and tips on how to improve your device’s security, you can check out the Android security guide.