Your mobile devices or even mine for that matter, house every sort of data imaginable. Think of all those selfies and the videos, synced bank accounts, Social Media as well as email accounts or contacts with their full details. It goes without saying that by storing all the information on a single (or multiple) device, we all face potential threats from hackers, who stealthily gain access to your smartphone or tablet and steal valuable information without your knowledge. The situation is worse in the case of Android phones.
One of the biggest weaknesses of the Android platform lies in the way in which the apps on a device communicate crucial information with servers. As is obvious, most of this communication is unencrypted and paves the way for hackers to exploit this vulnerability. Other than the issue with encryption, third-party advertising software can also leave your Android smartphone exposed to hackers. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
The scenario is scary because a hacker can not only access crucial/sensitive data, but also use your identity on various Social Media accounts and act as an imposter, carry out financial transactions from your bank accounts, hold your device hostage and most importantly, spy on your day to day activities and leak out sensitive information about you. Sounds scary right? What if I also tell you that these hackers can put your smartphone in a Botnet and carry out an array of illegal and fraudulent activities? Yes. Therein is the actual threat.
How to detect whether or not your Android device has been hacked?
Now there are no steadfast rules, but some telltale signs that will surely help you detect whether or not your Android device has been hacked. Take a look at the pointers that I have compiled to know which are these signs.
- You get a long mobile bill that you have no clue about and it includes calls that you never made and SMSes that you never sent. The same holds true with bank transactions, which you never carried out. Both are signs of your mobile data being compromised at some or the other point of time.
- Your mobile acts weird, even when the device is new. For example, certain apps might open and close on their own or send out texts without you doing as much as tapping the screen for approval is a sign of your device being hacked.
- Your mobile battery is draining faster than ever. Of course, there are many other factors that can lead to this such as apps that consume a lot of battery power when they run in the background. But we can’t rule this point out.
- Your phone runs extremely slow and keeps on getting hanged or restarts several times in a day. This can be caused by a malware or a hacker trying to modify some data in your device.
These situations can easily be done away with, if you know some top tips that are listed below to secure your Android phone.
- Always keep the software of your device updated: One of the key loopholes that malicious software look forward to is the outdated software of mobile operating systems. Therefore, when you update the software on your smartphone, you automatically reduce the risks of falling prey to hackers and malware. So, the next time an update notification pops up on your screen, remember to tap it and approve.
- Avoid third-party app stores: Always make it a point to download and install apps on your Android device from Google Play Store instead of a third-party app store or even some random websites. These are unreliable sources and you never know which of the apps will be infested with potential malware that will do you immense harm. Additionally, set up a separate PIN to make all the purchases on Google Play to stop unauthorized purchases.
- Use data encryption settings: Use encryption settings on your device to protect the data. This includes your Google accounts, application data and download information and you can enable it by going to the Security tab in Settings and checking Enable Encryption.
- Let go of the auto-complete feature: Make it a point to turn off the auto-complete feature on your smartphone. Even if you do feel lazy and irked to type the data every time, you can be sure that your personal data will not be up for grabs to the hackers. Similarly, avoid using the ‘show password’ feature that are available for a number of apps and websites.
- Don’t store your passwords in an app: Some people use apps that let them store all their passwords such as that of different apps, email accounts, Social Media accounts and even credit card or mobile/net-banking, in one place. This is a strict no-no. Even though the app is high quality and comes with several security features and functionalities, it is software at the end of the day that can be tampered with.
- Avoid charging your phones in public charging points: The constant use of mobile phones drains out battery, leading us to rush and charge our devices at the kiosks, especially when we are on the go. There are also fake charging points, which are the size of a shoe-box with power supply cords attached to them. These are placed by Juice Jackers to gain access to your phones. Here is how you can outsmart them.
- Don’t use public/Free Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is definitely one of the perks that technology has bestowed upon us all. But wait. Before you use the unlimited Wi-Fi connection that comes free of cost and that too in a public network, think twice. Sending personal data over unsecured Wi-Fi makes your Android phone more vulnerable to hackers than you can ever imagine.
- Turn off your Bluetooth: Turn off your phone’s Bluetooth when not in use. Hackers can use unprotected Bluetooth networks to gain access to your device. If you do want to pair it with another device, use passcode. Do not allow any device to automatically pair with yours as this can lead to data theft and transfer of malicious code.
- Browse safely: I know, this is a basic step and you all are aware of the fact that browsing safe is the thumb-rule of ensuring security on the internet. But sometimes, when we are in a hurry, we hastily click on some links without a second thought. This can lead to the download of malware on your device without your knowledge.
- Delete browsing history on a regular basis: It is also important to delete your browsing history including cookies, cache and stored passwords, if any. Removing your virtual footprints will help your private information stay private and away from a hacker. Also, remove any temporary files stored in your phone on a regular basis.
To Conclude
In an era where practically everything is dependent on our mobile devices, taking precautionary measures to secure them does come in quite handy. Use these simple but effective tips and you will not lost sleep over your Android phone’s security!
About the Author:
Jason Geater leads the team at Solvusoft. They offer consumer PC optimization products that help with computer errors, edit file types, and protect online privacy.
