We can all agree that cyber attacks have gone out of hand in 2018. We’ve seen thousands of data breaches, including incidents that affected billion-dollar companies and millions of users. Unfortunately, the future doesn’t look any safer when it comes to cybersecurity online. In fact, surfing the web has never been more dangerous than it is today.
Whenever you access the internet on an Android device, you immediately get exposed to thousands of threats, from various kinds of malware programs to manipulating links and emails. Luckily, there are specific security measures you can take to avoid cyber threats on Android, other than keeping your phone up to date. Let’s take a look at the five best ways to protect your Android device.
#1 Watch Out for Online Scams
When we mention security threats, most people immediately think of viruses and infected files. However, not many are aware that the majority of online security breaches originate from people’s lack of awareness about online scams. In the last couple of years, scammers have mastered the art of manipulation and learned how to get anyone to willingly submit their personal data. Anti-virus programs cannot help you when you’re dealing with an online scammer. The only way to avoid this cyber threat is to get familiar with the latest online scams. Taking a few minutes every once in a while to read short articles on the topic will make a huge difference.
#2 Don’t Trust Your Emails
Phishing scams and fake emails are one of the major reasons why Android devices often get hacked. In a phishing scam, the hacker poses as a legit company, pretending to offer you some deal or a discount. They include a link in the email that is supposed to take you to the company’s website where you can sign up for the discount. This is how hackers gain access to your personal information, which they later use for advertising or malicious purposes. To avoid this threat, always check the source of the email and, if you’re not sure where the email is coming from, don’t open it nor click on any links inside it.
#3 Stay Away from Suspicious Sites
Accessing suspicious websites can leave your Android device exposed to the danger of unauthorized downloads which transfer malware onto your phone. In some cases, phishing scams will take you to a suspicious website, and it is your responsibility to determine whether that site is safe or not. It always good to have an anti-virus or browser protection software that will send alerts if you come near a shady site. However, if you don’t have any of these programs, make sure to examine the links before clicking on them. If a site’s link has an unusual spelling error or a bunch of random numbers, chances are it is not legit.
#4 Take Advantage of Chrome’s Safe Browsing Features
One of the best ways to avoid cybersecurity threats while browsing the internet on Android devices is through Chrome’s Safe Browsing features. As the name suggests, these features allow you to browse the internet safely. Once you activate the feature, Chrome will send you a warning if it detects any suspicious sites or activities. To enable the Safe Browsing on Chrome, go to settings, then privacy, and then select “safe browsing.”
#5 Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network or VPN is one of the best safety nets for Android devices. A VPN service will allow you to browse the internet anonymously by hiding all your data and information behind a remote server (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nordvpn.android). VPNs also mask your real IP address and thus hide your location as well. It is highly recommended to connect via a VPN whenever you want to access the internet on public networks in bars, coffee shops, or around town. Besides browsing security, a VPN will come in handy for bypassing blocked content and accessing streams that are not available in your region.
Conclusion
It’s not a secret that Android devices are constantly being exposed to cyber threats online. As much as the developers are working towards new solutions and improvements, hackers keep finding new ways to breach Android security systems. However, if you take the time to secure your device and stay aware of potential online security threats, it will be more difficult for hackers to access your data.
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