Since the introduction of modern computers, malicious software or malware has been an
omnipresent issue. Viruses, Trojans, rootkits, spyware, keyloggers and
several others of the like
continue to assault your computing devices
all the time, looking for vulnerabilities and loopholes in your defenses
to get through. Generally, users have become aware enough to deploy
some form of protection on their desktops and notebooks, and while
infections continue to plague the computing world, they’re significantly
reduced in impact.
Smartphones today are nothing short of portable computers as well,
and just like that, are prone to malware attacks. Hard as it may seem to
believe, developers do spend time creating
Smartphone malware that
would let them access your personal information, exploit personal data
and otherwise do damage to your device. Android Device is a fast growing mobile
platform with apps exceeding 600,000 in the Google Play Store, and
believe me when I tell you that an assessment puts over 100,000 of them
as “questionable”. While most users don’t pay much attention to it, it’s
imperative that you secure your Android
smartphone or tablet against
the growing threat of mobile malware. They say prevention is better than
cure, and in this post, we’ll provide some basic pointers on how to
achieve that.
Ways to Keep your Android/Tablet Device Secure
There are easy ways to reduce the risk of infection in your Android.
Most of these ways are simply common sense. Developers and specific cell
phone manufacturers do encourage their customers to use the proper
download applications and widgets.
1. Download Only From Official Stores
When downloading apps, prefer the well-reputed channels, mainly
Google Play Store and the Amazon
App Store. Google implements a
rudimentary “bouncer” to ward off malware, and the rest is taken care of
by the very-active Android user community. Hence, these two sources are
your most reliable ones.
 |
| Shelaf.com |
|
2. Keep Installation of Apps from Unknown Sources at “Off”
Unless you’re a power user, it’s highly advisable to keep
installation of apps from Unknown Sources at “off” in the device’s
settings. This will help ensure that nothing enters the system except
through official channels.
 |
| Shelaf.com | |
3. Rooted Devices are More Susceptible
Most advanced users choose to root their android devices, be extra cautious about granting Superuser access to any app. Make sure you understand the purpose of the
SU access, and trust the developer enough to grant it. This is the
highest level of access that anyone (or anything) can have on your
Android device, so be really careful with this one.
 |
| Shelaf.com |
4. Install an Antivirus/Security App on Your Android Smartphone
A lot of capable
contenders are available in the Google Play Store for that purpose, with
more notable ones being Avast! Free Mobile Security, Lookout Mobile
Security, AVG Mobile
Security, Kapersky and Norton Mobile Security, just to name a few. There is a
different feature-set offered by each, so you have room to weigh your
options carefully before making a decision to go with one.
 |
| shelaf.com |
5. It is Important to Read App reviews and See ratings before downloading
Read app reviews and see ratings before you choose to download
anything. If it’s something from a renowned developer, you’re less
likely to run into trouble as opposed to an app with hardly any
downloads and just 2-3 reviews. As a rule of thumb, I don’t prefer apps
with a rating of less than at least 3 stars.
 |
| Shelaf.com |
6. Examine the Permissions that an App is Asking For, During Installation
Carefully examine the permissions that an app is asking for, and use
your own judgment to decide whether you want that app or not. E.g A puzzle
game asking to access your contacts and phone app is never really a good
idea, and neither is a torch app seeking internet permission. Discard
apps that seem shady – they’re usually not worth risking personal
information over.
 |
| Shelaf.com |
7. Keep Your Phone Locked Always
While not strictly a malware protection measure, it’s still a good
idea to keep your phone locked for security. Someone else gaining access
to your device might be able to install undesired software before you
reclaim access, and hence, causing you to remain unaware of the whole
deal until it’s too late. Likewise, a remote wipe app should also be
there, should you ever encounter a scenario where normal access to the
device gets blocked by the malware infection.
 |
| Shelaf.com |
8. Never access links embedded in mass-broadcast messages/emails on
your phone.
You never know what’s hidden underneath a URL, and it’s
harder to check that on a
Smartphone as opposed to a traditional
computer. Phishing scams thrive under unrestricted access through your
web browser.
9. Beware of Fake Apps Even on Play Store
On
the Play Store, there are loads of fake apps designed with the
intention of infecting your device and stealing your private
information. Some apps are designed only to push ads to
your Smartphone.
As a matter of fact, most popular apps often have similar ones that are
actually fakes. You should be careful with these
sorts of apps.
10. Avoid Pirated Apps
If you love
cracks and pirated apps, your device may become infected without you even knowing it. Pirated apps most often carry
Malware strands. Besides, you’re not helping the developers who work hard trying to create these games and apps.
Saving $0.99 isn’t worth it, really.
11. Porn is the Most Efficient Source of Malware Delivery
I’m
in no position to judge you or tell you what to do with your
device but
it has been proven that pornographic sites are the most efficient when
it comes to infecting your device with
malwares. Well, you know what to
do… be careful with sites you visit.
12. Stay Updated
Be
on your toes so far as updates are concerned. This is one way in which
manufacturers and carriers ensure that you remain protected from
Malware
attacks. These updates can include enhancements, bug fixes, new
features each of which are designed to keep your system in tune with the
right way to tackle the malicious attacks. Apart from updating your apps, be sure your device operating system is also up-to-date.
Conclusion
Following the above steps will help you ensure that your device remains secure, safe
from malware, and most importantly, exclusively yours. Do you have a tip
that we should’ve included here and missed? Drop us a comment below.
If you enjoyed this post and wish to be informed whenever a
new post is published, then make sure you
Subscribe to our regular Email Updates!
