Since the implementation of the new normal, cyber-attacks on all IT devices have been on the rise. Despite this, some people continue to take their Android device’s protection for granted. However, the truth is that your level of protection is determined by the precautions you take to safeguard it.
Today, we’ll go through five threats that are posing a threat to your Android computer, as well as how to deal with them:
1. Spyware
If you don’t pay attention to what you instal on your Android computer, you might end up with a spyware infection very quickly. So, what exactly is spyware? In essence, it’s a malicious piece of software that gathers unwelcome information about you and sends it back to the hackers. Stalkerware is a more violent variant of it, which is usually installed while you’re not looking by overbearing spouses or colleagues.
The alternative is to pay attention to what you’re downloading and read the app’s specifications before deciding. In certain instances, these apps request more permissions than are necessary for them to function. Often, make sure to run an antivirus scan on a regular basis. It should be sufficient to do so once a week.
2. Public Wi-Fi
While not all public Wi-Fi is dangerous, because everyone can link to it, you can treat it as such for the sake of protection. Doing any online banking, shopping, texting, or other things when linked to it is dangerous since your data could be intercepted or your conversations could be overheard.
As luck would have it, the solution is relatively simple. Using a virtual private network (VPN). What is a virtual private network (VPN)? It is a tool that aids in the protection of your link and keeps you secure while browsing the web. Install one, and you’ll never have to be concerned with what you send over public Wi-Fi again.
The explanation for this is that everything you send or receive through your computer is encrypted while your VPN is active. To gain access to it, someone will need the necessary keys. At the same time, it can be used to get around geo-blocks, which is useful if you’re travelling and find yourself in a country where censorship is enforced.
3. Phishing
If you use your Android computer to send and receive email (and who doesn’t? ), you should be aware of phishing scams and how to defend yourself against them. Smartphone users, in particular, should pay close attention to the sender bar because the screen real estate is smaller, making it easier to spoof.
Phishing means impersonating an authority figure (such as your boss or a website administrator) in order to dupe the target into divulging confidential information such as login credentials. The attacker will also use a sense of urgency to persuade you to open an attachment or to enter a fraudulent login form designed solely for the purpose of data harvesting.
As a result, be cautious about clicking on links sent to you via email. Also, double-check the sender’s identity before following their instructions.
4. Data leakage
When it comes to data leakage, even though you download an app from the Play Store, you’re not out of the woods. But what exactly does the word imply? In a nutshell, data leakage occurs when an app sends data to the home server that isn’t needed for the app to run properly. To put it another way, it poses a threat to your privacy. Yeah, you could be a victim of this, despite the fact that the software seems to be running well and doing as it should, at least on the surface.
Check what permissions you’ve granted it and stick to trusted developers, once again. You can also check what your apps are and aren’t allowed to do on a case-by-case basis in the settings section of your Android device.
5. Improper session handling
Have you ever wondered how each Facebook user sees a specific screen with customised content? Forums and online stores operate in the same way. A custom session is started when you log in to your profile with your unique login credentials, and the server generates a so-called token. This gives you access to your own personalised and private section of the website, which is supposed to be open only to you.
Some lesser-known websites, on the other hand, do not handle sessions properly. As a result, malicious actors could be able to steal the session and gain access to another person’s account. The attacker may also gain access via user error, such as failing to log out of an account when you’re finished with your work and leaving your Android device unattended. So keep an eye on your computer and log out when necessary – it’s there for a reason.
Conclusion
If you follow these basic instructions, you should have a much safer Android experience. Above all, use your common sense to guide you in the right direction; the rest is only filling in the blanks.