Did you know that smartphones quietly slipped into our mainstream consciousness as early as 1992? Text Request has an infographic about the close to three-decade evolution of the device, going from one flagship brand to the next and ultimately narrowing it down to two: iOS and Android. The article said that Google’s system has dominated the worldwide market share, with over 42% of the total users, exceeding iPhones, desktop PCs, and laptops. Furthermore, on average, Android devices cost 33% cheaper than their iOS counterparts. In this guide, we will talk about privacy issues of your phones and how you can protect your Android phones from cyber attacks.
Based on these figures alone, it should not surprise that Android is currently winning the smartphone battle. On the flip side, however, this opens many doors for hackers to invade your privacy.
Privacy Concerns and Cyberattacks:
Whether in desktops, laptops, or smartphones, a cybersecurity threat will always be waiting. This is why, some time back, we wrote a piece on How to Maintain Privacy on Android Phone, which mainly provided practical tips. Industry experts even warned you about the new age of digital thieves who specifically target these powerful gadgets in your pockets and encouraged you to strike a balance between usability and privacy.
Cybersecurity, nowadays, is more than just about software updates, valuable apps, and preventive measures, which is why safeguarding your Android phones and your data, in general, has become a universal matter. So much so that a specialized branch of law now creates solutions and defends the rights of practically all kinds of technology users. Legal consulting firm Special Counsel notes the value of having a robust IT infrastructure to protect your most important data, advising you to be vigilant at all times, especially if you’re enrolled in a Cyber Security Course. Of course, it is nice to know that a law will be there when worse comes to worst, but before going to legal matters, let us focus on the often-overlooked facets of keeping your online privacy safe.
With that being said, here are some ways to protect Android phones from cyber attacks.
Cover Your Smartphone When Keying in Your Lock Pattern or Password
This is a fairly obvious move for those with traditional Android phones that require either a lock pattern or a password, as you never know if someone is lurking in the shadows of a public area, preying on your device. Thankfully, many new Android smartphones use fingerprints and face scans (which eliminate the risk yet suggest a different issue in cybersecurity altogether), which can help protect Android phones from cyber attacks.
Use Cellular Data Instead of Public Wi-Fi
As convenient as public Wi-Fi is when you are out, try to prioritize using your cellular data as much as possible, as it is too easy for cyber attackers to set up a fake wireless network to steal your username and password and spread malware. MUO’s TechMUO’ser Brent Fuglseth explains how hackers use these fraudulent networks to target Internet users. The article also sheds light on how to avoid them, which includes looking out for slow connections and paying attention to the address bar of the websites you visit. In addition, he points out that these particular networks often have grammatical errors, so watch out for them and be extra cautious.
Have Your Charging Cable at All Times
Believe it or not, borrowing another person’s cperson’scable can have negative implications. Hackers have discovered ways of modifying smartphone cables to plant malware on your computer. This also applies to third-party charging cable brands, so it is essential to stick to what was supplied with your Android phone.
Look Out for USB Ports on Public Charging Stations
Similar to the aforementioned fake Wi-Fi networks and third-party charging cables, public USB ports can also be hosts for malware. Cyber attackers can now alter these suitable charging stations in transportation hubs, public transportation systems, etc., to steal all sorts of data from your Android device. So, invest in a good portable battery pack instead of plugging into public USB stations.
All in all, these are just some tips most people often disregard when Protecting Their Android phones from cyber attacks. If you would like to make more suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment. Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our social media platforms.
