With most people living their personal and professional lives on their smartphones, it's not just the data that has been fed into these devices, but also fi nancial transactions and communication links that can be violated. While Android has not seen too many security scares, the massive number of devices and high number of un-scanned apps that make their way into the Android Market really make you think about how safe your data is. Here are some things that you need to watch out for, and a list of apps that can help you secure your data.
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
There are certain bits of information on your smartphone that can become a target for viruses, worms or other malware. First is your personal data, email, text messages, notes and contacts. Next are your personal and professional account details like email set-up, social networking details, and schedules. Your Wi-Fi network settings and online banking and trading website details are also at risk. Malware is capable of sending text or multimedia messages, making premium phone calls, or utilizing your funds to buy apps.
SECURITY AT THE ROOT
The Android OS does feature solid security architecture at the kernel level. The kernel is programmed to sandbox applications from each other, which means that if an application wants access to details like network access, reading or writing data, and personal contacts, each request is made explicitly and only on granting permission, will they be made available. If you do grant access to a malware app, then the security mechanism is of no use, so you need to exercise more caution and keep a tab on what to download to your phone. You should also be careful when updating an installed app because it is at times as good as installing a new app.
WHAT ARE YOU UP AGAINST?
Android apps can be targeted by a virus that can corrupt the data on your phone, spyware that can read critical data like credit card details and passwords without your knowledge, or apps can act as nuisance-ware or adware that interrupts the normal working of your phone.
SAFE BROWSING
Although you can avail help from antivirus apps, you should also exercise caution when you go on to the Android Market and download an app for your phone. Firstly, make sure that the app comes from a legitimate source. Even though the Market is considered a legitimate source, the apps that go up are not really screened, merely signed by the makers. Read through the comments posted by other users. If it sounds fi shy, it's wise to give it a miss. If you wish to go ahead, the next thing to do is visit the developer's website. Most developers who take their apps seriously would have a dedicated space to promote it. Finally, check the type of permissions the apps require for installation. For example, if a game app is trying to access your contact information, which is ideally not required, it is recommended to avoid it.
PROTECTING YOUR COMMUNICATION ROUTES
One of the easiest techniques to infi ltrate your Android device's security is through the Wi-Fi or VPN (virtual private network) settings. Although it is advisable to use SSL or HTTPS encryption when using an unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot, many email providers don't support encryption. Therefore, it is better to use a VPN network that offers better encryption supported by your mobile phone service provider. Even though you can keep your data traffi c option off when not in use, you can opt for apps like WiTopia or the free Hotspot Shield and services like Free Shield VPN (http://go.chip.in/ qnwbi) that offers increased safety for your VPN.
APPS TO GUIDE YOU
There are apps can help you protect existing data as well as help you safeguard your future downloads. You can secure your Android devices (FroYo and above) with unlocking options, like using a numeric PIN, a password or a graphical pattern. However, a University of Pennsylvania research reveals how smudges on your screen can actually make hacking your graphical password quite a cake walk. You can start off with a free app called Android Protector, which can assign passwords to protect details like your text messages, Gmail accounts, contacts details, schedulers, Internet and Wi-Fi settings, and photos. If you are looking for something a bit more secure, you can pick the Seal app (Rs 122.19), Carrot App Lock Pro (Rs 68.18), or app protector pro (Rs 90.46). These apps also offer lite versions so that you can try before you buy the app. If you wish to have an app that backs up and restores your data, helps you track your missing or stolen phone, and scan an app for malware, the free version of Lookout Mobile Security or MacAfee's recently acquired WaveSecure are very good options. However, WaveSecure does not provide antivirus support, but both applications can help you lock or wipe data off your device remotely. If you are looking for tools that can help you scan the apps for you before downloading them to your device, you can try the beta version of Norton Mobile for Android, or the Free or Pro (Rs 454.10) AVG apps.
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
There are certain bits of information on your smartphone that can become a target for viruses, worms or other malware. First is your personal data, email, text messages, notes and contacts. Next are your personal and professional account details like email set-up, social networking details, and schedules. Your Wi-Fi network settings and online banking and trading website details are also at risk. Malware is capable of sending text or multimedia messages, making premium phone calls, or utilizing your funds to buy apps.
SECURITY AT THE ROOT
The Android OS does feature solid security architecture at the kernel level. The kernel is programmed to sandbox applications from each other, which means that if an application wants access to details like network access, reading or writing data, and personal contacts, each request is made explicitly and only on granting permission, will they be made available. If you do grant access to a malware app, then the security mechanism is of no use, so you need to exercise more caution and keep a tab on what to download to your phone. You should also be careful when updating an installed app because it is at times as good as installing a new app.
WHAT ARE YOU UP AGAINST?
Android apps can be targeted by a virus that can corrupt the data on your phone, spyware that can read critical data like credit card details and passwords without your knowledge, or apps can act as nuisance-ware or adware that interrupts the normal working of your phone.
Although you can avail help from antivirus apps, you should also exercise caution when you go on to the Android Market and download an app for your phone. Firstly, make sure that the app comes from a legitimate source. Even though the Market is considered a legitimate source, the apps that go up are not really screened, merely signed by the makers. Read through the comments posted by other users. If it sounds fi shy, it's wise to give it a miss. If you wish to go ahead, the next thing to do is visit the developer's website. Most developers who take their apps seriously would have a dedicated space to promote it. Finally, check the type of permissions the apps require for installation. For example, if a game app is trying to access your contact information, which is ideally not required, it is recommended to avoid it.
PROTECTING YOUR COMMUNICATION ROUTES
One of the easiest techniques to infi ltrate your Android device's security is through the Wi-Fi or VPN (virtual private network) settings. Although it is advisable to use SSL or HTTPS encryption when using an unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot, many email providers don't support encryption. Therefore, it is better to use a VPN network that offers better encryption supported by your mobile phone service provider. Even though you can keep your data traffi c option off when not in use, you can opt for apps like WiTopia or the free Hotspot Shield and services like Free Shield VPN (http://go.chip.in/ qnwbi) that offers increased safety for your VPN.
APPS TO GUIDE YOU
There are apps can help you protect existing data as well as help you safeguard your future downloads. You can secure your Android devices (FroYo and above) with unlocking options, like using a numeric PIN, a password or a graphical pattern. However, a University of Pennsylvania research reveals how smudges on your screen can actually make hacking your graphical password quite a cake walk. You can start off with a free app called Android Protector, which can assign passwords to protect details like your text messages, Gmail accounts, contacts details, schedulers, Internet and Wi-Fi settings, and photos. If you are looking for something a bit more secure, you can pick the Seal app (Rs 122.19), Carrot App Lock Pro (Rs 68.18), or app protector pro (Rs 90.46). These apps also offer lite versions so that you can try before you buy the app. If you wish to have an app that backs up and restores your data, helps you track your missing or stolen phone, and scan an app for malware, the free version of Lookout Mobile Security or MacAfee's recently acquired WaveSecure are very good options. However, WaveSecure does not provide antivirus support, but both applications can help you lock or wipe data off your device remotely. If you are looking for tools that can help you scan the apps for you before downloading them to your device, you can try the beta version of Norton Mobile for Android, or the Free or Pro (Rs 454.10) AVG apps.
