How to Protect Your Android Device Against Malware

Android smartphones have suffered numerous malware attacks in the past. The latest addition to this malware problem is “Judy,” which has been reported to have infected more than 36 million Android devices so far. Judy is a malware found in about 50 apps available in the Play Store. It contains code that redirects infected devices to targeted websites to generate fraudulent ad clicks. At the time of writing this article, Google has removed the affected apps from the Play Store. However, after the recent WannaCry ransomware attack on Windows and now Judy’s attack on Android, users are paying more attention to security than ever before. Android as an operating system is quite safe, but abuse of the platform’s vulnerability infects devices with malware. If we as users are informed and use our devices wisely, we can minimize our chances of being attacked by a malware. We created it to make things easy Here is the list of things you should do to protect your Android device against Malware:

1. Only Install Apps From Trusted Sources

One of the biggest reasons why Android suffers from malware attacks is because users download apps from untrusted sources for various reasons. Whatever your reason behind this, if you want to keep your device safe, stop it now. It is very easy for attackers to add malware to an app’s cracked APK file..

As a general rule, remember to only install apps from the Google Play Store. Even if there is an app you need that is not available in the Play Store, try to find an alternative first. There are over 2.8 million verified apps in the Play Store, the odds of not finding a suitable alternative are pretty slim. If you need to download an app outside of the Play Store, be sure to do your due diligence and only download apps from verified and trusted sources.

• Manage Your Settings

to accidentally stop Installing apps from untrusted sources, manage its permissions from the settings menu. Go to the Settings menu and tap on Security. Find and disable the option that allows installing apps from unknown sources.

• Read App Description and User Reviews

At the Google I/O event 2017, Google showed that to keep the Android platform safe, it scans more than one million apps per day, including those installed on the user’s devices, available on the Play Store. However, some apps still manage to filter out ways to opt out of Google’s crawling process. The most recent example is apps that contain “Judy malware”. For this reason, even if you are installing from the Play Store, you need to be a little careful. Stay away from lesser-known apps and apps with a lot of negative reviews. Also, if you’re trying a new app, review its description to make sure it’s from verified developers.

• Know your App Permissions

Since the release of Android Marshmallow (6.0), Google has allowed us to see and manage the permission required by apps running on our devices. Permissions include access to our device’s hardware, such as the camera, sensors, and storage, among others. While some apps require these permissions to work properly, this is not the case with all.

For example, a simple text editor app doesn’t need to access your camera. When installing a new app, look for the permissions it asks for and only grant the permissions the app actually requires. To manage permissions for installed apps, go to: Settings>Applications>App permissions to manage them.

2. Do Not Use Pirated Apps or Files

Piracy is unethical and illegal. However, we are not here to discuss its legitimacy, but want to let you know that pirated apps and files come with their own risks. As mentioned earlier, it is very easy to add malware to an app’s cracked APK. The same goes for pirated files like audio files, pdfs and videos. If you’re downloading pirated apps or files, it’s only a matter of time before your device gets infected. Therefore, it is in your best interest to stay away from them.

3. Do Not Access Private/Sensitive Data on Public WiFi

Public WiFi networks allow us to surf the web and stay connected on the go without consuming our mobile data. However, when using a public WiFi connection, you should remember that nowhere is it as secure as home/office WiFi. This It’s easy to access your browsing data while on a public WiFi network. Therefore, never access your private/sensitive content on a public WiFi network. Therefore, next time you go to Starbucks, avoid checking your bank account there.

4. Avoid Suspicious Links

This seems like a no-brainer, but a lot of people fall for it. Don’t be a touch friendly user and open any link where you can get your thumbs up. Malicious links may redirect you to websites with malware and viruses. Only open links from a verified source. Even if a friend sends you a link message, ask before opening the link as some malware may automatically send a message or email from an infected device.

5. Keep Your Phone Updated

Google has launched monthly security patches For the Android platform and although the update status of your device depends on the OEM you use, make sure to install any updates and security patches you receive on your Android device as soon as they are ready. Security patches close security loopholes that Google discovered over time. If you do not update immediately, there will be a risk of getting a virus on your device.

6. Install Third-Party Anti-virus and Anti-Malware Applications

If you follow all the steps above, you don’t necessarily need a third-party antivirus. However, there is no such thing as complete security, and if you want an extra pair of eyes to support your device’s defenses, you can install third-party antivirus or anti-malware apps. There are many good third-party anti-virus apps on the market, and you may need to look at their specific features to decide which one is best for you.

360 Security – Antivirus Support It is one of the best currently available on the Play Store. It is completely free and comes with many useful features. In addition to providing real-time protection, Scan your device and installed apps for any malware or virus. It also has a built-in junk cleaner and app lock, along with anti-theft features that allow you to remotely wipe your data if you lose your device. All in all, this is a good practice and should meet most of your needs when it comes to antivirus software.

SEE ALSO: How to Protect Your Computer from WannaCry Ransomware

Learn to Protect Your Android Device from Malware

You may have noticed that most of the steps involve being mindful of the way you use it. This is because Android is actually safe from malware until you give it a boot. Common sense can go a long way in protecting your device from getting infected. Think before you download an app or open a link that is not from a trusted source. In any case, nothing can be completely safe, so try to make a backup of your data.

If you keep the points mentioned in this article in mind, you can greatly reduce your chances of being infected by a malware. We hope this article helped you keep your Android device more secure. If you have something to add to this list, let me know in the comments.