Android security is always a hot topic on these here Nets of Inter – and almost always for the wrong reason.
As we’ve discussed ad nauseam over the years, most of the missives you read about malware and viruses are overly sensationalized accounts tied to theoretical threats with practically zero chance of actually affecting you in the real world. If you look closely, in fact, you’ll start to notice that the vast majority of those stories stem from companies that make their money selling malware protection programs for Android phones. (Pure coincidence, right?)
The reality is that Google has some pretty advanced methods of protection in place for Android, and as long as you take advantage of those and use a little common sense, you’ll almost certainly be fine (yes, even when the Play Store guards slip up and let the occasional bad app into the gates). The biggest threat you should be thinking about is your own security surrounding your devices and accounts – and all it takes is 20 minutes a year to make sure your set-up is sound.
Take the time now to go through this check-up, then rest easy over the coming the year with the knowledge that you’re in good shape.
PART 1: APP INTELLIGENCE
Step 1: Look over all the apps and services connected to your account
You’ve probably granted countless apps access to parts of your Google account over time. This is no big deal in general, but with any apps you’re no longer using, it’s a smart idea to close the connections.
Visit this page in Google’s security settings (fave.co/3zpS819) to see a list of everything that’s authorized and what exactly it can access. If you see anything you don’t recognize or that you no longer use, click it and then click the blue ‘Remove Access’ button to give it the boot (1.).
And while you’re at it, take two minutes to look through the list of apps on your phone and uninstall anything you’re no longer actively using. It’ll eliminate unnecessary windows to different areas of your data, and it’ll free up space and cut down on potentially phone-slowing resource use, too.
Step 2: Revisit your Android app permissions
Speaking of dusty old stuff on your phone, it’s all too easy to grant an app access to some sort of information without giving it much thought during that initial set-up process. That’s why it’s well worth checking in periodically to remind yourself what permissions the apps on your phone possess –
