7 Ways To Protect Your Phone From Been Hacked. -

Your smartphone is quickly replacing your PC as the
primary device where you shop, bank, and store your
personal information. That means it’s becoming an
attractive target for cybercriminals who want to get
their hands on your passwords and private information.
Luckily, with some care and the use of the right tools,
you can protect yourself from criminals with plans to
hijack your phone or access the sensitive data you keep
on it. Here are a few security tips for owners of Android
smartphones.
Keep your software updated
Your operating system and your applications will regularly
receive software updates. As annoying as they can be,
these updates often address known security vulnerabilities
in the software. So be sure to check for regular updates
and download them. To save on mobile data costs, update
Android and your apps on a Wi-Fi connection.
Lock your screen
Lock your screen behind a pattern, PIN, password, or a
fingerprint (if your phone has a biometric reader) to
protect your data from a thief and prevent him or her
from running up your phone bill.
Turn off cookies and autofill
Switch off autofill in your browser settings. This feature,
which stores and automatically enters logins and
passwords for web sites, can expose you to privacy and
security risks. If you want a convenient way to securely
store and manage multiple passwords, rather use an app
like 1Password. This tool creates strong, unique passwords
for every site, remembers them, and logs you in with a
single tap.
Download apps from trusted sources
Download apps only from trusted sources such as the
official Google Play and Amazon app stores. The official
app stores scan apps for malware and spyware, offering
you a little more protection than you’d get by simply
downloading apps from a random web site offering ‘free’
apps. Don’t download Android Package files (APKs) from
the web, since they bypass app store certifications and
may contain malware.
Install an anti-virus app
Your Android smartphone can scan for malware, but an
antivirus app can give you a little more peace of mind.
Have a look at the Google Play Appstore to see which
ones fit your needs and your budget.
Back up your data
Be sure to back up your data in case your smartphone
gets lost, stolen, or damaged. You can do a manual
backup to the cloud or find an app to automatically
back your data up for you. This will ensure that you can
get your information back easily if something happens to
your device.
Turn on the Android Device Manager
The Android Device Manager allows you to remotely lock,
wipe, and locate your device if it goes missing. With
Android Device Manager, you will be able to locate and
ring your phone if you misplace it. To set up this
feature, look at the security function in your settings
manager. Once you’ve configured it, you can access
Android Device Manager from any web browser, and gain
access to your smartphone.