How to Stay Secure on Android | Privacy Concerns About Safety on AndroidTech Savvy

When it comes to security of your android smartphone or any other concerns regarding user data and privacy, there is a common misconception going around in the Android Community. Linux is a world famous kernel for data security and user privacy due to its open source nature and thousands of Operating Systems to choose from, that are all based on Linux. And as Android is also built on Linux, it must be secure as well. But you need to understand one thing about malwares and security breaches. They go where the majority goes, as to maximize the chances of data breach. So it’s not that the Linux is magically immune to any kind of viruses, it’s just that most virus and malware programs are not written for desktop Linux to begin with. Meanwhile, the Android has gained massive user-base over the past few years and all the bad internet folks have started to write malwares for Android as well. So here are a few tips to stay secure on Android:

Download Apps Only From Google PlayStore:

The number one mistake that many Android users make is installing apps from unknown sources and malicious websites. If you are reading this article in the year 2017, you have probably heard of the game called “Blue Whale”. The game that was developed by a Russian developer and encouraged people to take their lives while completing its 50 challenges. If the player refused or stopped playing the game, the admin would threaten to leak their details and family data on the Dark Web. All this started when people downloaded this game outside the google PlayStore, where all the apps are verified by google and then made available to the general public.

Check the App Permissions:

Apps require permissions to communicate with your phone’s hardware and resources to do what they are designed to do. At least on the devices using Android 5.0 or Higher. The apps collect data through phone’s sensors i.e. microphone and cameras, and make a response by processing it. It’s all the more reason to check all the app permission that and app requires while downloading it from the PlayStore. As a hacker or a developer may be listening to your voice and snapping pictures or recording videos through your phone’s camera without you even realizing it if he has permission to your phone’s hardware. So always review all the permissions and access that your app requires.

Don’t Click on Suspicious/Unknown URLs:

Everyone has that friend who shares a suspicious URL on his Facebook or in your Whatsapp group, just because someone else shared it with him. The message with the link claims to reveal some secrets of becoming a millionaire over a night or any free product, but when clicked, takes the user to a malicious website where the hacker can access to your device using APIs and Web-Applications. This has been a major cause of security breach among many Android users. So, it is advised to always browse the internet safely and avoid any unknown URL links that someone else sent you to share some secrets about the conspiracies or other such stupidity. Surf smart and stay safe!