Android Users – Are You Safe ?

Following are few important steps you must take to keep you phone safe and secure from fraudsters.

Recent Issues

Following are couple of recent issues related android app hacks :

• Xenomorph – New Android Banking Trojan Spreading via Google Play Store Targets Europeans
• Four different Android banking trojans were spread via the official Google Play Store between August and November 2021, resulting in more than 300,000 infections through various dropper apps that posed as seemingly harmless utility apps to take full control of the infected devices
• A security vulnerability affecting Android that malicious apps can exploit to masquerade as any other app installed on a targeted device to display fake interfaces to the users, tricking them into giving away sensitive information.

Keep Your Software Updated

Most of the time fraudsters or hackers try to take advantage of vulnerabilities present in operating system or application code. To prevent this, app teams as well as OS teams continuously release updates. so take below steps :

1. You should always check if Android OS of your phone and apps are updated to the latest versions. Updates often include security patches that protect against new threats.
2. Enable automatic updates for both your operating system and apps to receive the latest security enhancements as soon as they’re available.

You could also set these upgrades to be done when connected to WIFI only to save your cellular bandwidth

Use a Strong Lock Screen

Fraudsters are always looking for an opportunity to get access to your phone so you must take following measures to keep your phone safe and secure :

1. Secure Lock: Set a strong lock screen method, such as a PIN, password, or biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition). Avoid using easily guessable patterns or simple PINs.
2. Lock Screen Timeout: Configure your phone to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity.

Set Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Its very important to set two factor authentication as it can safeguard you multifold. in some cases, even if your phone is hacked or apps are hacked by breaking security of screen lock , two factor will definitely reduce the damage.

1. Enable 2FA for your Google account to add an extra layer of security. This requires a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
2. Enable 2FA on other apps that support it to enhance your account security

Manage App Permissions

Its very important that you review permissions given to app. This is one of the usual tricks where while installing apps, users are asked to grant permissions to app which are not necessary and installed app might do harm than do good.

1. Review Permissions: Regularly review and manage app permissions in your device settings. Revoke permissions for apps that don’t need access to certain data or features.
2. Limit Permissions: Only grant necessary permissions to apps and avoid giving access to sensitive information unless absolutely required.

Install Security Apps

You might find limited free version or paid of of Security apps but trust me those are worth it.

1. Consider installing a reputable antivirus app to scan for malware and protect against threats. Some popular options include Avast, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky.
2. Look for detailed security suites that offer features like anti-theft, app privacy, and web protection.

Some popular apps include AVG AntiVirus for Android, McAfee Security, Norton 360.