Nowadays, Trusting a person is a quite difficult task to do. In this situation, securing your data is more important than any other. In the olden day, some people are trustworthy and they were playing the role of protecting a piece of personal information. But now, from local scammers to government employees are seeking to get hands-on your data. One you can do at this moment is protecting yourself without any negligence. We have a lot of ways to protect our privacy while using Android. In this guide, you can find a detailed explanation of how to stay private when using Android device?
So, let’s dive into the main topic!
How to Stay Private When Using Android?
Prior we get started to discuss how to protect your privacy using android, one point that I always recall in my mind, “Is Smartphone Going to be a Risk in our life at any moment”? Of course, it can be turned as risky in the future due to a lack of security reasons. Manufactures of any android devices will always fail to provide certain safety options as default. In that case, users should take care of their privacy by following some basic precautions. Today, we will be knowing a few necessary steps to be taken to stay private when using Android.
Modifying these System Settings helps you stay Private using Android
Once you get your mobile in your hands, that’s the right time to begin protecting personally. When you start your Android setup, remember that the options which have been asking you to track your data must be disabled. If not, then your privacy would be in some other hands.
Just in case, you’ve already done with your phone setup without disabling the options, don’t get worried. There are plenty of precautions that you can follow.
We are advised to look at the below list because everything that you can and should take is mentioned here. Well, I know it is tough to sacrifice some comfortable things, so decide whether you need your convenience or privacy while using an Android device. If your decision is yes, then follow these main points to protect your privacy using Android.
Set up a Strong Password/PIN
Every Android mobile is providing an option like Pattern or PIN to lock & unlock your device for security. But using a strong alphanumeric password is safe rather than a pattern. According to the Nordpass report, people are still setting weak passwords which led to being easy for hackers. It’s better to use a Personal Identification Number (PIN) involves both numbers and letters. Directions to set a PIN Number, Open Settings App> head to Security option> Screen Lock> Enter your strong password> Click on Save. That’s it, you are done with the first step of your protection.
Don’t use Fingerprint option to lock your device
Android phone is making your mind weak & lazy by providing some convenient options. We all are aware of handy Fingerprint sensors, but it is complicated when comes to the law around us. Still, it’s being messed out in the courts, nowadays police are forcing you to use your fingerprint option to unlock your Android mobiles.
So, it is best not to use finger access to lock or unlock your phone at all. Here is the way to remove your saved fingerprint on Nexus and Pixel devices, Go to Settings > Security > Pixel Imprint and delete any of your saved fingerprints.
Encrypt your Android Device
Some of the models of Android devices don’t come with encrypt option by default. Check your mobile device whether it is encrypted earlier or not. If you are unfamiliar with the process, then refer to this article. If it asks you to enter your PIN or pattern before restarting your phone, it’s presumably encrypted already.
Just for safety, once click on Settings > Security > Under Encryption, you must view the ‘Encrypt Phone’ option. If in case you see encrypted below that, you’re phone is safe. The process may take a while, also it may slow down some old phones. Still, this option is safe and protects your data 100%.
Turn on your Software Updates
It is important to keep your software up-to-date to fix some of your previous versions bugs. But some of the most security-conscious people avoid the software update notification occasionally. You must keep your phone updated from time to time to remove vulnerabilities and protect your data from hackers or viruses. If you don’t take it seriously, then some of the vulnerabilities may be exploited by attackers to steal your privacy.
In Android devices, you can turn on your software updates automatically by heading to Settings > About Phone > System Update.
Hide Notifications from the Lock Screen
Everyone will receive some sensitive information from their trusted ones on their phones. And the best way to make Android phones more private is just turn off the notifications option. Like this, you can protect your data from the strangers who picks up your phone. So that they can’t view your message previews, contacts, reminders, and alerts. It’s easy to turn off these notifications, simply head to Settings > Sound & Notifications > Turn off the option.
Turn Off Google’s Tracking Activity
Mostly, people won’t consider Google as a threat when coming to data. But, Google is the biggest hog for data almost, so turning off tracking is approximately like a Sisyphean task. Still, you disable as much as you can. If you don’t have any idea about how to disable Google’s tracking activity, then follow the below line.
First of all, Go to the Google My Activity > Tap on the menu button, and select “Activity Controls”, now you can turn off all tracking activities like location, search, voice, and also your Youtube history. However, you disable it still they may store some rendered anonymous data about you, don’t worry that won’t steal your privacy.
Check & Disable Unnecessary App Permissions
From the date of Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), Google ultimately lets you choose which permissions to provide to applications. If you are a beginner, it means your android device is running on a marshmallow version. In case, you’re worried about your privacy then go to Settings > Apps and click the gear icon which is located at the top, now hit on “App Permissions”. In this window, you can view permissions for all applications such as Messages, Contacts, Calendar, and more.
Click on each app, check the app permissions and turn off if you don’t believe it is safe. Remember, this can make you face some complications regarding the app’s permissions. If you’re not sure better to uninstall it or take advice from any trusted mobile app developers.
Wrap Up – Use Android Privately
Above are a few precautions that android users should consider to protect their privacy and keep Android devices even more securely. Refining your phone habits is the most effective way to stay privacy using Android. Also, remember that the usage of location services should be minimum or disable or uninstall if not required.
Whenever you perform a software update, check app permissions. Regularly change your passwords and always generate new strong alphanumeric passwords. That’s it, you & your device should be safe enough. If you need any other tips & tricks about privacy or you have to share some more safety precautions, please feel free to shoot us in the comment section below.