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AndroidHow to Keep Your Android Phone Safe

How to Keep Your Android Phone Safe from Hackers and Viruses

By Achilles Hill | Last Updated

"How to keep my Android phone secure?" If you have the same doubt, you are in the right place! In this article, 8 common tips are introduced for you to keep your Android phone safe from hackers and viruses. Now, let's continue reading for details.

  1. Tip 1: Download Apps from Reliable Sources
  2. Tip 2: Install the Anti-Virus Program
  3. Tip 3: Do Not Connect to the Public Wi-Fi
  4. Tip 4: Turn off the Auto-Location Function
  5. Tip 5: Uninstall Unneeded Apps
  6. Tip 6: Set a Screen Lock
  7. Tip 7: Encrypt Your Android Phone
  8. Tip 8: Update the Android OS and Apps

how to keep your android phone safe

Tip 1: Download Apps from Reliable Sources

When you need to download applications on your Android phone, just head to the official source like Google Play Store which can guarantee the security of software and then get the wanted app in it. In other words, avoid downloading the apps in the unknown platform in which software has not been audited and many virus programs are disguised as normal applications to mislead users to install them.

download apps in google play

Tip 2: Install the Anti-Virus Program

Security program can effectively protect your Android phone from being compromised. You can use the built-in security app or the recommended anti-virus program from your phone manufacturer to regularly scan the phone apps, timely fix the system vulnerabilities and constantly detect software installation, all of which can help you keep your Android phone safe.

optimize android os

Tip 3: Do Not Connect to the Public Wi-Fi

It would put your Android phone at risk if you connect it to the free public Wi-Fi. Criminals can steal your sensitive information through the connected public network. Besides, it's wise to use a VPN on your device to encrypt your internet connection, which is useful to protect your phone from the network intrusion.

disconnect public wifi

Tip 4: Turn off the Auto-Location Function

Nowadays, many users prefer to share their locations on the social media, which easily causes personal information disclosure. Therefore, the location function should be used as less as possible or directly disabled.

You can turn off the location function through the following steps: tap Settings and find the Location services then turn it off.

turn off location services

Tip 5: Uninstall Unneeded Apps

Sometimes we might download an app just for having a try and then leave it for months without usage. Do you know what else it can cause besides taking up memory and consuming electric energy? They may secretly send your data to others without your knowledge. So, don't hesitate to uninstall the unnecessary apps to keep your Android phone secure.

uninstall unneeded apps

Tip 6: Set a Screen Lock

It's an effective way to enhance the security of your Android phone by setting the screen lock. You can lock your device with the basic options including passcode/PIN/pattern or advanced paths like Fingerprint unlock and Face unlock. For the detailed steps of screen locking your Android phone, you can follow here.

set screen lock

Tip 7: Encrypt Your Android Phone

Phone encryption provides a direct and strong protection for the phone data. Generally, you can encrypt the Android phone with its built-in function and you have to enter the password each time you access your data. Furthermore, you need to mind that the encryption is irreversible and it's recommended to back up your phone data firstly. If you want to try this tip, you can refer to Encrypt Android Phone via Password.

encrypt android phone

Tip 8: Update the Android OS and Apps

Be sure to keep your Android OS and the apps stay in the latest version, which means that you need to update them regularly. As the updated OS and apps will not only bring you the new/improved functions, but also fix the bugs for you, which closes off the vulnerabilities and make it harder to be hacked.

update android os and apps

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