Act as a senior journalist and professional content writer to write 1500+ words news article, SEO-optimized news article,, easy-to-understand news article. Begin with a compelling, keyword-rich title wrapped in an H1 HTML tag (

[Insert Title]

). Follow with a bolded one-paragraph summary wrapped in a div with the class name “yellowbg” (

). Structure the article with an engaging lead paragraph that answers the 5 Ws and 1 H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How), followed by informative subheadings (use

for main subheadings and

for supporting subheadings). Include bullet points for key highlights, relevant quotes, and data where applicable. Use simple, clear language for broad accessibility. Conclude with a strong closing paragraph, a list of keyword-rich terms, and relevant hashtags. Ensure the content is well-structured, concise, and tailored for readability while maintaining a professional tone. Example format:

[Insert Title]

, Summary:

[Insert Summary]

, Lead: [Engaging opening answering 5 Ws and 1 H],

[Main Subheading]

, [Key points],

[Supporting Subheading]

, [Key points], Conclusion: [Closing paragraph], Keywords: [List], Hashtags: [List]. Rewrite the following content accordingly:

We all think we’re in full control and aware of the risks associated with the internet, our data, and personal information. Even if you’re security-coded, you should probably check a few Android security settings to be extra safe.

Depending on a few factors like the age of your phone, the model, software version, and a few other intangibles, most modern Android devices are pretty secure. However, some things still need to be activated or enabled before you get complete protection.

We’re not going to get into the murky world of data collection or data privacy, because the fact is that big tech is powered by our data. The truth is that you’ll need to just ditch your phone entirely, delete all of your accounts, and forgo lots of the convenience of a modern Android phone in the name of true personal security. That or you get a ROM like GrapheneOS, take back complete control, and still enjoy many of the trappings of modern mobiles.

Find Hub / Find My Device

Do not ask me why, but Find My Device or Find Hub is not set up by default on your Android phone. The whole point of the function is to help you retrieve or locate a lost phone. It makes no sense that it isn’t instantly activated during the initial device onboarding process. In fact, Google, you can have that free tip. Add it to the initial device set up procedure.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Wishlist aside, you will need to go and manually download or open the Find Hub app on your phone before you will be able to track it. Sign in to the Google account associated with your phone, then it should be visible on the global map based on the last location it was spotted or connected to a network.

Theft Protection

The newest and most interesting Android security feature is Theft Protection. Getting your phone stolen is a horrible experience. It’s not just the phone that is valuable; everything else on it gives thieves the opportunity to extract more money from you, your accounts, and maybe even your contacts.

Like lots of things on Android, it’s completely optional. It works by using on-device sensors and hardware to determine if someone snatches your phone out of your hand while unlocked. If so, it turns on and locks your phone, keeping things safe. You could mitigate this by using a wrist strap, but not everyone wants one of those.

Theft Detection is not a foolproof option, though. If someone just takes your phone while unlocked and then saunters away, they will still be able to access unprotected on-device files provided your phone stays unlocked. That’s where you will want another option to be enabled within the section.

Offline Device Lock

A lot of phone thieves will instantly remove a SIM card from a phone so that you can’t track it on Find My Device. To mitigate that, there are a few things you should enable in the Theft Detection section. First is “Offline Device Lock.”

When active, your phone is able to determine when a connection has been lost to Wi-Fi or a data network and automatically lock. You can’t access or do anything until another connection is made. If you get the phone back, enter your PIN or passcode, and it’ll just work like normal.

Remote Lock

Related to the Find My Device or Find Hub function is the ability to remotely lock your phone if you do misplace it. This is a way to keep any precious on-device files away from anyone that might find your phone or may have taken your phone. Theft Protection does offer a more robust set of controls here, but it can’t hurt to have a few more layers of security with your Android phone in our eyes.

When active, Remote Lock lets you enter your phone number at android.com/lock to send your phone to the lock screen. It must be online, though, so it’s important to do this ASAP. Sadly, you’re only able to lock your phone using this method up to two times per day.

Google Play Protect

I wouldn’t call Google Play Protect a foolproof way to keep rogue apps under control, but it’s a neat option that’ll attempt to detect any dodgy apps on your phone should they be installed or pre-installed by default. The Play Store sort of powers it.

You can scan your Android phone for any apps that might be harmful or pose a risk to on-device security. Usually, apps are scanned in the background without you needing to do anything, but you can initiate it manually if you feel the need. Just head to the Play Store > Tap your profile icon > Play Protect > Scan. It takes a few seconds and any flagged apps will be highlighted.

It might not work with any apps you’ve downloaded from third-party app stores like Aurora, F-Droid or APKs from websites, so bear that in mind.

Hide passwords

I get that this is a helpful setting for some people, but you probably don’t want someone being able to see each individual character being typed out when you’re entering passwords on your phone. Some phones have this disabled by default, but it’s worth checking.

Just head to Settings > Security & privacy > More security settings > Show passwords or Show passwords while typing. Just disable it if you want an extra layer of privacy.

Lockdown mode

Before we had lots of these other controls, Lockdown mode was one of the corner stones of Android security. It’s super basic as it works by preventing biometric authentication circumvention. Enable it and you need to put in a PIN or passcode when you unlock.

My biggest gripe with Lockdown mode is that it is a one-time activation. You have to enable it every time you need it. In tandem with the other locking permissions, you can make it work well or as a last ditch protection method.

Check your app permissions

There are so many apps that will access your location, maybe even your microphone and camera, all doing so in the background without you explicitly knowing. Save some mapping and rideshare apps like Uber, does eBay need to know your exact location? No, it doesn’t.

Although not explicitly Android security, it’s personal security. There is a whole section dedicated to this in your phone. Just go through and change app settings to stop apps from tracking you without your permission.

Hide lockscreen notifications

Another default setting in Android is for app notifications and messages to be displayed on your lockscreen. For the most part that is probably fine, and it’s great for glancability. That said, you might have a 2FA code arrive or something similarly sensitive that you don’t want people to see or read. In that case, you should control what apps are able to show on the lockscreen.

You can do it on an app-by-app basis or only have a global block. Just head to your device Notifications section in Settings to get set up or tweak how you see fit.

It often shocks me how few people have emergency contacts set up on their phones. Think about it: if the worst were to happen and someone needed to call one of your friends or relatives, could you provide the exact details from memory? I’d wager in 95% of cases, no.

Setting up Emergency contacts is probably something you didn’t even think of. It’s not an Android security control, per se, but it’s still worth enabling and using if the worst were to happen.

Follow Damien: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Source link