Android phone is a normal person’s iPhone; but wait, don’t underestimate the operating system by calling it an average person’s iOS. With its release in the market, Android has outdone every other previous operating system. It has its own significant share of market and Google store is jammed up with a wide range of free android apps that makes Android experience all the way more interesting. Android’s interface is exceptional and it doesn’t let you down; everybody wants an android!
One needs to understand that Android is an open source, hence an easy target for app developers (some of them being hackers!) to make apps which are appealing, while on the other side they may ruin your smartphone. So you’ve got to take it slow and make sure you have plenty of methods to cut down the chances of your Android going down the drain. You don’t have to worry about not being able to safeguard your phone from these risks, as there are many ways to protect your Android from malware.
Lets take a look at few ways which help reduce the risk of your Android getting infected to a significant extent..
1. Disallow Automatic Installation Of Applications
Android is all about perfect interface and unlimited free apps! But this is what you should know, if you want to prevent your smartphone from malwares and virus, you should disallow any such app’s installation that you haven’t requested for. There are many software codes which are concealed in form of games and in fact are malware. So go along with trust apps and don’t install any app which you haven’t downloaded. If if in case there is any such app on your phone which seems a bit awkward, then uninstall it and check your phone for any potential virus.
2. Don’t Open Spam Emails
This is the simplest thing one can do; just like one protects their desktop by not clicking on spammy emails and links, you can protect your android as well by not opening any email that looks weird. Infecting the systems, either PC or your phones is easily done by Phishing, which is implemented by putting up infected links in emails. Therefore don’t click any such emails which look spam and inept!
3. Update Your Android Regularly
Since Android is upgradeable, its recommended that you update your android regularly. Updating your Android OS makes sure that any bugs in your systems will get rectified. Also never leave any apps unattended, just keep on updating them. Also install an antivirus for your system and do system check regularly.
4. Lock Your Android
Almost everybody puts up a lock on their smartphone, and this is one of the basic things one can do in order to protect their phone. First of all never leave your phone unwatched, but if you do then make sure your phone has a lock on it. After all you won’t want anybody to go through your personal stuff and who knows the worst case scenario might be identity theft! Android has a very specific way to secure your phone by giving you the option of making pattern based lock codes. These pattern locks make it all the way more difficult for anybody to get into your phone.
5. Watch Out For Certain Apps
As told in the very first point, there are apps everywhere in Google Store, Android’s very own market! But what people don’t understand is that most of these apps are from the third party vendors, hence you can’t rely on these apps always. The vendor should be trusted and the app should have genuine reviews. To avoid any entrance of malwares via these kinds of apps, just don’t allow any app to run on itself, download or upgrade on its own. Also make sure you keep checking the apps which you use, and remove any app which is no longer used!
These are the 5 ways to protect your android from malware, if you follow these basic steps then your smartphone will stay healthy!
Upasana shares a passion for writing, and has been blogging for more than 2yrs. She is an avid reader, and loves to spend time online widening her knowledge. She likes writing articles based on technology, softwares, and especially cell phone tracking and monitoring software.