Secure Android - PC World

To protect your smartphone, you need to equip it only with the best applications and configure. The following materials are ten most important tips that will help you protect your Android phone.

Smartphones collect a lot of data that should not enter into other people’s hands. The point is of information, such as username and password for your email account or even to Facebook. In addition, not all of the photos and notes are intended for third parties. Use the following tips to secured the your data from unauthorized access, block the viruses attacking Android and protect your private sphere when using smartphone .

protection against espionage and viruses

Danger from dangerous viruses operating in an environment Android is increasing . Although the number of varieties of pests that attack smartphones , it is still much lower than the amount of the virus spreading havoc on PCs, but from now secure your cell phone before the digital intruders.

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If your smartphone displays in the test only string * # 06 #, it is vulnerable to attacks using USSD codes.

class=”subtytul”> first Download applications only from the official store

Most virus smartfonowych spread by contaminated sites and unofficial online stores poorly controlled companies. By acquiring applications only from the official Google Play Store platform, avoiding a sizeable risk. Although the Google Playu were placed in the infected applications, however, were exceptions against a wide range of software.

Downloading applications from unofficial sources is still disabled by default. To check this, call up the menu Settings | Security . Make sure the Unknown sources check box is not selected.

2 Install an antivirus program

antivirus software to support environmental Android should include Lookout Security & Antivirus. Very frugal with system resources and also does not charge the battery too. The free version provides all the functions of anti-virus protection. Automatically checks installed or updated Android apps for the presence of malicious code. In addition, examine all the applications installed on your smartphone .

3 Upload updates

Sometimes, just one touch of the wrong link to delete the entire contents of smartphone . The reason for this is the USSD code (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) embedded in a website. Codes of this type of service is prompt implemented individually in each model smartphones by the manufacturers and mobile network operators. With them such a service can quickly and easily restore the factory smartphone or block the SIM card. Unfortunately, this can be done not only to service personnel, but anyone who knows your mobile USSD codes. As it turned out, unfortunately, USSD codes work even when they are embedded in the links. When one of security experts detected the vulnerability, manufacturers of smartphones quickly released updates to correct that error.

Remedies . Download the latest update to its smartphone . At the moment, the amend ment should be available for all models covered by this specific problem. At http://dylanreeve.com/phone.php you can check if they also include a your smartphone . If the on-screen keyboard appears to dial a telephone number and IMEI number at the same time in a separate window, your model is exposed to the risk described . If, however, you see only the code * 06 , your digital companion should be safe .

In case your cell phone was vulnerable to such attacks despite install the most recent version of firmware (firmware) and Android , you can install an alternative application to make phone calls – one that ignores the USSD command. Highly recommended, among others Free Dialer One. In addition, you can use one of the many programs that block URLs – even free NoTelURL.

Using App Lock run applications enable you lock in a password or pattern.

4 Enable automatic backup

smartphone collect – just like an ordinary computer – two types of data – system and user. The system data are included in the case Android clean the operating system, so the one that you have available when you recall menu Settings | Backup and Restore Backup | Restore Factory | Reset phone . The data also includes the basic configuration of the device, such as WLAN settings. However, user data include photographs taken with camera cell and uploaded to smartphone MP3 music.

Archiving important system data, you can leave for Android . Perhaps, your consent has been given already at the first setting smartphone . Otherwise, you can make up for it by running Settings | Backup and Restore Backup | Backup Data .

Note: In addition, you must provide the so-called . Backup account. It is a Google account, even if established automatically when you sign up for Gmail. If you do not have one, you can create a new one at www.google.com / accounts. Android is proposed by default Google Mail address through which registered smartphone . However, Google does not disclose the scope of data covered by copyright.

To make comprehensive backups, containing most of the data collected in smartphone , you can use a free tool My Phone Explorer (www.fjsoft .at / en). First you have to install it on a computer running Windows. Then enabl e USB debugging on your smartphone ( menu Settings | Developers | USB debugging ). Then you can connect your cell phone to your computer and show Additional menu | Back up in the My Phone Explorer .

blocking unauthorized access

The following applications and tips will help you protect your data. For the sake of their safety You can block individual applications or encrypt files stored on your smartphone . If you are using a cell only you, it is recommended to use a global lock device. If you happen to lose your smartphone , the finder does not immediately able to get at its contents. A geolocation application will help you find your cell phone.

Application File Locker encrypts the request files and entire folders. But do not hide so protected resources.

5 Application Blocker numerical code

App Lock tool allows you to block specific applications using a numeric code. Covered by the protection programs can be run only by entering the appropriate sequence of digits. This code should be defined at the first recall App Lock tool. Then you have to choose the applications you want to block. App Lock displays for this purpose a list of frequently used programs. Appears next to each switch that activates the lock on and off. However, there are security within the standard application Android Settings. Otherwise, an attacker could use it to turn off the App Lock and get free access to all protected earlier programs. You can do this by using the menu Settings | Application Settings | App Lock | Force stop . Stopping the application in Android takes place in a similar manner to close the application in the Windows Task Manager.

6 Encrypting files stored on your smartphone

The File Locker encrypts files, protecting them from unauthorized access. The application resembles a simple file manager. Just get to a folder of files to encrypt, and then touch the lock box. Then the tool prompts you to define a password. The described method can also encrypt entire folders. Although encrypted in this way, resources can not give to read without re-entering the password will remain visible. A person who has bad intentions towards you, so it can be simply disposed of in an ordinary file manager.