Secure Your Android

I don’t know about your school, office, or even household.  But in mine, it’s like Dueling Banjos when it comes to Apple vs Android. Can’t we all just get along?

Yeah, right.

So if you are familiar with the debate, you probably understand there are already a bunch of differences.

I had to laugh the other day when my husband sent me “This is the easiest way to prevent malware on your Android device” from Apple News (from one of his many Apple devices). I was waiting to see a punch line instead of an article, like ‘just throw your Android away and get an Apple.’ But for those of us that love our Android devices, one of the main reasons is the incredible availability of apps, both through Google Play Store and other outside sources. And usually much cheaper than Apple Store versions.

But with that kind of ‘freedom’ (Happy post-Memorial Day by the way) comes a responsibility to know what you are downloading or it could result in malware being installed on your device and other very serious issues that can affect your device. “By default, Google prevents users from installing apps from sources other than the Play store. The best way to protect yourself is to leave the installation of apps from unknown sources disabled. It’s a good idea to double-check that the setting is still disabled, just to be safe.” (article)  And I couldn’t agree more.  That is probably the most basic thing you can do.  “When downloading apps it’s imperative that you only do so from a legitimate app store; that means from companies like Google, Amazon, Samsung, or another major manufacturer or carrier. These marketplaces are monitored and scanned for potentially dangerous or fraudulent programs. On occasion, however, malicious apps sometimes slip through the cracks, often disguised as legitimate ones.” (Protect your android device from malware)

You can also find a security app that will scan apps you download for any potential issues.  I personally have Lookout on my phone, a free app in the Google Play Store. You can find and other tested anti-virus software for your android on CNET.

So if you love your Android like I do, and get sick of people telling you how unsecure your device is, or that your information can be easily compromised, rest assured.  There are ways to protect yourself from malware and still enjoy the freedom and flexibility of an Android device. And if you are concerned that maybe you might have suspicious activity or applications on your device, remember that’s a great time to contact your West Valley Technical Services technician.  We can clean, secure, and make your devices more efficient. Remember, even if you are upgrading to a newer device, a questionable app moved over to it can continue to cause you issues.