Translated material
How to protect Android: use phone settings
We have already talked about the security of application for smartphones based on the Android operating system. Today we will talk about some “regular” settings that may affect the safety of the device.
Android has come a long way. The market is filled with versions of 5 to 10 versions (and someone probably has a regular pensioner on Kitkat ). But the developers seemed boring. They added bright colors to a colorful picture: they came up with shells. Those had to make the life of a simple user easier and more fun. The latter was especially good. The aggregate efforts of Google and developers led to the fact that the same point on that smartphone can be called “protection”, and on this “privacy”. Be prepared to look for the desired setting, do not give up.
Passwords, locks, encryption
If you have not done this yet, I advise you to enable protection against unauthorized access - the screen lock. Android offers different ways: password, PIN, graphic key, and in some models a fingerprint scanner is built in. I like to unlock the smartphone by touching the finger, it is fast and convenient. Password, code or geometric figure can be forgotten, prints - no. This method, however, has disadvantages (like everyone else). The fingerprint can be obtained, for example, by physical coercion or according to a fairly high -quality photograph . If you are not lucky enough to be on the tip of the attention of some large-scale villain, protection may not be suitable using a fingerprint. At least not in the "risk zones." Of the other methods from the point of view of security, it is better to use a more or less reliable password. Sometimes it makes sense to install passwords on separate applications.
Activate sleeping mode with the screen lock after a short time, for example, after a minute of inaction. It will come in handy if the phone is forgotten somewhere for a short time.
In new smartphones models, encryption is on the default, but just in case check. I met situations when the encryption was disconnected, and the owner of the smartphone could not explain the reason. If the corresponding item is found in the menu and you will see that the encryption is disabled, think about turning it on. You will not lose in convenience, but win in defense.
About passwords and encryption, and indeed about the protection of Android devices, I advise you to read an interesting article on the Elxoft blog . The author notes the imperfection of full -disc clusion by default and gives recommendations on turning on the safe loading mode. Among other things, the author meaningfully criticizes the Smart Lock service advertised Google , which allows you to automatically turn off the lock under certain circumstances. Perhaps Smart Lock is really not the best solution in terms of security.
Owners of different services often offer to indicate in the settings of accounts “Safety” phone number. By safety, these good people mean the ability to restore your password that you have forgotten using a phone (read - according to SMS). If possible, it is better to avoid this. The “restoration” of passwords in different ways, including SMS is the routine intake of attackers. Do not tie the phone number to the accounts . If you have to do this, keep in mind: the attacker, having taken possession of your smartphone, can simply remove the SIM card, insert it into another device and get an SMS message to reset the password. If this account is important for you, think about installing a PIN code on a SIM card.
Application installation and protection
By default, Android lovers install applications from Google Play, but this can be done from other sources. An example is F-Droid , a collection of Android software with an open code. If you don’t have F-Droid or something like that if you are not going to test other people's applications packed in .APK files, make sure that the application installation function is not disabled from trusted sources. On my smartphone, this item can be found in the menu “Extended settings” - “Privacy” - “Unknown Sources”, you may have in a different place.
Check if the updates of the system and applications are included. Run Google Play, press the icon with three stripes in the upper left corner of the screen. Select “Settings” and make sure that automatic update of applications is included.
In the same menu with three stripes, pay attention to the Play Protection item. This is the application verification service from Google , in simple words - built -in antivirus. By default it is turned on - find out if it is on your device.
The name of the device and settings Wi-Fi
It is unreasonable to use your own name or other identifying data as the name of the device. Why did anyone know your name when you connect to a wireless network?
Android kindly saves data on all Wi-Fi networks in which you worked. If you again find yourself in the reach of one of these networks, the smartphone can automatically connect to it. No need to register again and enter a password. It is convenient if you often work in the same place. Or, say, traveling from Hamburg to Dresden to Flixbus, making a transplant in Berlin. But do you need to keep on a smartphone a long register of all visited places? Having entered the “Saved Network” in the Wi-Fi settings, look at the list of these points. Is it time to remove those that you probably do not need?
Disconnect the constant search for Wi-Fi networks-save the battery charge.
If you distribute the Internet (organize your access point), do this with WPA2 PSK protection and a good password.
Recommendations regarding the name of the device are also concerned with Bluetooth inen, if you suddenly use Bluetooth to communicate with other computers, tablets or smartphones.
Geolocation
If access to the location is included, this is not a reason for anxiety. Applications can request this access to fulfill their usual functions . But the included “history of locations” actually means that Google writes all the places where you are. This is done, of course, in order to offer you the best service. But if you do not like such custody, turn off the history of locations.
Go to the point “Show where I am” and make sure that the smartphone does not share your coordinates with other people. (What else was not enough).
Often they ask if it is possible to configure the Android Smartphone so that in the case of loss of the device, it is approximately determined where it is and call it. Yes, but for this you need to fulfill a number of Google conditions . If necessary, you can block the device and even erase the data from it.
In this article , in a simple language, it tells what GPS is, what benefits a traveler can get from him, and how is it related to security.
Other
Rut-access (Eng. Root)-the rights of the "super-user". This status opens up many interesting opportunities hidden from ordinary mortals. After ruting, for example, you can delete system applications from your smartphone. Yes, this is true: you can get rid of a preinstalled Chinese browser that you do not like and takes place. However, Ruth is a significant risk. Your device becomes more vulnerable , and in the process of ruting there is always a risk of turning a smartphone into a “brick”. If you have a warranty on the device, you will probably lose it. Do you have no absolute need to unlock the bootloader , experiment with firmware, to achieve a route for your smartphone? Then don't do it.
The developer mode is a set of additional system settings. It makes it possible, for example, to control the device via a USB port, connecting it through the wire to the computer. You can deceive too curious applications by slipping fake GPS coordinates. But the developer’s regime is also a risky thing. In the Android Smartphones, it is often not visible “by default”, and you need to take certain actions so that it appears on the menu. Check if you have such a item in the settings, and if so, make sure that it is turned off. And if you do not need it, think about completely removing it from the menu .
These are some (probably the most important) “regular” Android settings related to safety. The level of protection of the smartphone and data on it largely depends on the applications, on the accuracy and habits of the owner. A good cover and protective glass for the display can be helped where persistent encryption will be powerless. Safety is only integrated.
Dear reader! Do you have a know-how on how to make an Android smartphone safer with the means of the operating system itself? Change any settings and improve protection? Or, on the contrary, what definitely should not be done? Please write in the comments!