Android Tablet and Smartphone Security Basics

Yes, there are reports suggesting 99% of malicious software targets Android devices, yet there is no need to panic since there are many ways you can ensure security of your device.

Being the world’s leading smartphone software, Android is also one of the most targeted operating systems for malware attacks. Android is the most open OS in terms of how much of your device’s performance you can customize. In addition, Google Play is more than open in its approval process when it accepts developers to release new applications for Android.

This kind of openness is a blessing for the technically powerful users because they can customize pretty much everything on their device that they don't like, and satisfy the need for something that suits their tastes. Power users know better installing apps and games that play fast, but siphon personal data. There is no security problem as such for technically advanced users, but what about the rest of the world?

Android is the world’s most popular smartphone OS, which means that hundreds of millions of users have no clue about how to secure their devices and it’s not their fault. It’s not that they are lazy or stupid, they’re just not geeks and nerds; they are normal. And it is exactly this large stratum of users that boosts the attention of virus and malware developers to create ever more apps that compromise private information stored on Android devices.

According to Cisco’s annual security report released in January, 99% of malware last year targeted Android. That report was followed by Kaspersky Lab report suggesting 98% of malicious codes are targeted at this open source OS. “Android ticks all the boxes for cyber criminals – it is a widely used OS that is easy to use for both app developers and malware authors alike,” said Christian Funk of Kaspersky.

Nevertheless, do not despair and try to follow some common sense steps to avoid taking unnecessary risks as you browse, work and play through your devices. Here are five tips based on experience and common sense that will help you keep your Android device safe.

Be wary when installing apps

It is highly recommended you only install applications from Google Play Store or Amazon’s App Store because a great variety of dodgy apps are being distributed through third-party app stores.

Nevertheless, even Google Play does not review the multitude of applications that appear on its marketplace every day. In addition, the already existing and reputable applications may result hacked and re-uploaded. The greater risk for the latter is the personal finance software that deals with users’ personal banking accounts and credit card numbers. So, it might be wiser not to use a personal-finance application on a portable device altogether.

Even when installing applications from the official Google Play store, you must take extra caution when it comes to something that looks like a new version of popular games, such as Angry Birds, Clash of Clans, Candy Crush Saga and the like. There are hundreds of fake versions of these popular games, so make sure you download apps and games only from the reputable developers. It won’t hurt you browsing for the game’s title, and the developer’s website to make sure what you’re going to download is not a fake.

Never download an application or a game from Google Play store without reading its reviews. It goes without saying that you must stay away from 1-star rating apps, but also keep an eye open for the reviews that seem fake or paid. Should anything set off alarm bells, walk away.

SMS Security

Android security is not only about applications, but also about text messages and websites that try to scam you into revealing your personal information and credit card details. Emails and text messages are also very efficient phishing methods, and the fact that you are receiving them on your smartphone doesn’t make them less harmful.

The rule of thumb is to never tap on the link in a text message sent by someone you don’t know, even if the message looks like it came from a legitimate company. Always delete suspicions messages and emails from your device.

Lock screen

Every smartphone operation system, not just Android, needs to have lock screen security. If you still haven’t sorted out your device’s lock screen settings, it is about time you do so before it gets stolen or lost. If anything should happen to your device, and it ends up in the wrong hands, it is better to prevent your personal data from being accessed by unauthorized users. For starters, you should sort out Google’s default settings, but there are many fine third-party applications that provide unusual and very interesting tricks for unlocking the phone, or rather keeping it safe.

For example, you can check out Picture Password Lockscreen or ERGO. The first app requires you draw lines, circles, and points on any image you like to unlock the phone while the second one scans your ear, and requires you hold your device against it to unlock. Another nifty lock screen application is Apple’s iPhone 5s Touch ID alternative for Android, LockScreen, which sort of scans your fingerprint.

Antivirus suites

There are many efficient and powerful antivirus options by the big names in the security world available for Android devices.

You may want to check out the following apps that all have 4 stars+ ratings on Google Play and are reported to be the best of the best by the research companies that test the efficiency of these antivirus applications against real-time threats:

• AVG AntiVirus Security - FREE (reviewed)
• AVAST Software's Mobile Security & Antivirus
• Bitdefender's Mobile Security & Antivirus
• Lookout Security & Antivirus
• Kaspersky Internet Security
• Trend Micro's Mobile Security & Antivirus
• Norton Security antivirus
• McAfee Antivirus & Security

It is up to you to choose which one suits your needs better, but the above-mentioned applications are all powerful and provide good level of security.

A Parental Control App

Protecting your children online is one of the crucial elements of safeguarding them against the predator world. There are many fine brands that try to help parents cope with this challenge, offering parental control software, which is capable of ensuring online safety of your children and make sure they don’t install malicious applications, or compromise your financial information on a device that you share with them.

Kids Place, Famigo, MMGuardian and Norton Family - these are only four of the many popular apps offering quite different sets of control features that comprise apps’ installation restrictions, websites access restrictions and time limits on the usage of certain games or applications. Some of these applications even have time rewards for good behavior.

Likewise, you can sort out how to create different user profiles on your Android device, and make some of user profiles restricted. On the flipside, talking to your children about online security is of paramount importance, irrespective of whether your concern is the safety of your Android device or bullying on social networks.