Android smartphones are famous among mobile phone users because they offer an impressive combination of value and features, functionality, and ease of use. But, there is a significant downside to the Android platform. According to a recent study, one billion Android devices are at risk of hacking.
Therefore, you should consider using different Android tools to secure your privacy as much as possible other than installing security updates to your Android phones regularly. Besides, you can rely on good VPNs to protect your smartphones from various mobile security threats, be it phishing attacks, network spoofing, data leakage, etc.
7 Android Tools to Improve Your Personal Security in 2020
Here are 7 Android tools you can use to keep you and your Android phone safe from attackers and other cybercriminals. All these tools are simple and easy to use. These tools are:
1. Android’s screen pinning system
Screen pinning is one of the most effective security tools you should enable when you have to give someone your phone. At times, you hand over your phone to anyone for any purpose, be it taking a photo, checking something over the internet, or making a call.
In these situations, the role of screen pinning comes in hand. It does not allow others to access your personal information for their gains while using your phone. You can activate the feature on your Android phones by heading into your system settings and through the Security & Privacy section, search “Screen pinning” option.
Tap the option to see the toggles are enabled next to both “screen pinning” and “verify lock screen password before unpinning.”
When you pass on your phone to someone next time, open the app you want them to use. At this point, you should tap the Recent Apps key available next to the Home Key. You can see the app in front of you like the most recently opened app; scroll upwards until you see a pushpin icon.
You should click the Pushpin icon, and you are good to go. Your phone is restricted to that particular app only. If you want to do anything else on your phone, you will have to tap and hold the Back and the Overview simultaneously, then you may enter your PIN, password, or pattern to continue using the phone.
2. VPN
A VPN masks your actual IP address with an alternative IP address of your desired country and encrypts all your data. You can keep notorious elements at bay like hackers, ISPs, and other surveillance actors. Moreover, you can unblock various geo-restricted websites and services on your Android phone on the go.
If we talk about its pricing, you can find numerous cheap VPNs to secure your digital footprints under your budget while surfing the web. Interestingly, you can download and install them through the Google Play Store instantly.
3. Two-Factor Authentication Usefulness
No matter how safe your passwords are, You should add an extra security level to keep yourself protected from unwanted people. The two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication is a process that provides an additional layer of protection to Android users.It allows you to use both your regular password alongside another secondary code generated by your device to enhance your online privacy to a new plane.
If you want to experience the hidden benefits of two-factor authentication on your phone, install the Authy app. It does have an attractive user interface that helps you access your crucial accounts on Google, Dropbox, and other services.
4. Password Management App
When you do not use strong passwords, you are bound to become an easy target for hackers. Thus, you should use a password management app such as LastPass that allows you to create simple yet effective passwords when signing into different websites.
It fills the passwords on your behalf across several apps on your Android smartphone. Besides, the app uses advanced encryption standards to keep your personal and other data safe. However, you have to remember a single secure password to access your vault when starting a new session.
5. Android’s Smart Lock feature
Different users leave their phones insecure and do not protect their phones through a pattern, password, or pin. This is because they have to enter the code every time they wish to use their Android devices.Android’s smart lock feature lets you keep your phone protected uncommonly. You can keep your phone unlocked if you are residing in a trusted location like your home. Similarly, you do not need to use your password or pattern if your phone is connected to a reliable Bluetooth device.
If you are not in any one of these secure situations, your Android phone will lock itself automatically. As a result, you will have to put your password to use your phone, and that’s the end objective that matters.
6. Android Device Manager
Through the Android Device Manager, you can remotely lock or even erase your phone via another phone or device from anywhere. The said tool comes with Android smartphones pre-installed. To activate it, go to the Google section of your system settings or accessing a separate app known as Google Settings.
Once you have selected the “Security” option, you can choose another “Device Administrator” option. As of now, you should click the checkbox to grant Android Device Manager access to your phone. If your phone gets stolen, you can open the Android Device Manager website or Android Device Manager app from another phone to remotely locate your phone. This way, you can secure your precious mobile device in no time.
7. Android’s Advance App-Scanning feature
Android has its malware-scanning system that checks apps for potentially malicious code when you have installed them on your phone. Likewise, the operating system scans your Android device continually to ensure nothing problematic happens.You can enable the said security feature by going into the Google section of your system settings. At this point, choose “Security” then activate the “Google Play Protect” option if you have not activated the option already.
Wrapping Up
Apart from using security apps for Android, you should use the above-explained Android tools to improve your personal security next level. As mobile security threats are increasing at an alarming pace worldwide, using such privacy tools is a must. By activating all these tools accordingly, you can stay safe all the time.