Protecting yourself from malware on Android is easier than you think. Google’s OS is wrongly viewed by many as a minefield of viruses and other malware. Yes, Android devices can be compromised by one or more malware, even if Google has taken action with its Google Play Protect. But just follow these five steps to avoid these malicious applications effectively.
An Android device can be infected with all kinds of malware. This malware can take the appearance of a legitimate application, or hide entirely from your eyes. Once properly installed, these applications take advantage of this to initiate a multitude of questionable activities. For example, steal your personal data and transfer it to hackers, who will use it against you. To avoid them, you just have to be careful. Here is how to protect your Android device from malware, in 5 steps.
How to effectively protect your Android device from malware?
Whether you’ve a smartphone or tablet regardless of your version of Android, these steps also apply to you. To protect yourself from malware, you must be careful, without becoming paranoid. It’s actually very simple, as long as you stick to the rules described below. Skipping one is the first step towards a possible infection.
1 – Install a good antivirus
Yet it’s so simple. However, the usefulness of antivirus on smartphones is often debated. A large proportion of users do not know the extent of the threats that exist in the system. Second, because antivirus applications have a bad reputation. They harm the performance of smartphones: they take up space, RAM, and drain the battery.
At least, antivirus on your smartphone will warn you in the event of a threat and will eradicate the malware if there is one. Antiviruses are essential for those who are concerned about protecting themselves. Especially since in May 2017, a report indicated that malware threatens Android users every 10 seconds! What seriously reconsider the question! Not sure which antivirus to choose? Here are the best Android apps to protect you.
2 – Install only official apps from the Google Play Store
Google recommends it itself. Use only the Google Play Store to install apps on your Android device. Indeed, the platform is rather reliable, thanks to the permanent work of Google in the verification of its applications. Sometimes there are failures, but it is much safer than the APK files from the Internet. We rarely know what they contain! And of course, favor the official applications of the store!
3 – Read the comments and check the program permissions
Before downloading an application, first, read the comments of other users! These will be very informative. You’ll then learn if the app or game you’re interested in has performance issues or bugs. But also the place of advertising, often very present in free Android applications. Sometimes it is too abundant and severely impedes the user experience.
But also read the permissions requested by the applications when validating the download. They are sometimes widely exaggerated, so you can suspect the Android app or game to try to steal your personal data. If in doubt, abstain. It is a rule that must always prevail for your safety.
4 – Keep your system up to date
Android is unfortunately very fragmented, and all Android devices do not have the latest version of the OS. For example, the list of smartphones and tablets compatible with the Android 8.0 Oreo update is still short, given the fleet of existing Android devices! However, if you can’t count on Google, consider updates from your device manufacturer!
Indeed, many of them offer monthly security updates, like Samsung, LG, or BlackBerry. The manufacturer overlay not only provides a beautiful interface to your Android smartphone or tablet. In particular, it protects your device against certainly known malware. It is, therefore, a necessary step that should never be pushed back.
5 – Beware of public Wi-Fi networks
This is a perfect ground for infections. Here, no need to become paranoid! But you have to be careful. When you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi network, beware of requests to connect to your device. And above all, avoid sharing sensitive information by connecting, for example, to your banking application!
Carefully close all suspicious windows, especially when a popup informs you that you’ve been infected with a virus! Clicking on the proposed link puts you at a high risk of infection! You now have all the balls in hand to effectively protect your Android devices from malware. Just be careful!
