4 Tips to protect your smartphone

Your smartphone is the new favorite target of hackers! Here are some essential tips (and simple!) To ensure the safety of your mobile and its data.

Attacks fomented by cybercriminals can sometimes be complex, and rely on algorithms and technologies of high level. But these sophisticated offensives remain marginal. This is most often to take advantage of the naivety of users and their unthinking behavior. It is then sufficient to use common sense and caution to prevent threats.

RULE N ° 1 | Prohibit installation of unknown apps
The main vector of infection remains mobile applications. If the content of the Play Store or the App Store does not offer absolute security (there are regularly infected apps), the main risk comes from applications installed outside the official stores. A very easy operation with an Android device since you just have to download an APK file. Avoid dubious applications and those that require abusive permissions (eg, unjustified access to contacts or location data). And to prevent an app from being implicated without your knowledge, turn off the Unknown Sources option in the Security pane of Android Settings.

RULE N ° 2 | Use Play Protect
Play Protect is a security feature built into the Android store that checks the integrity of apps before they are downloaded. Play Protect also detects if potentially dangerous apps have been installed outside of the Play Store. To get this protection, open the Play Store menu, tap Play Protect and start a phone scan.

RULE N ° 3 | Encrypt data
Since Android 6.0, all devices with Google’s mobile OS are encrypted by default. All you need to do is set a password or activate the biometric protection to prevent access to the contents of the terminal. The 46% of terminals still operating under Kit-Kat or Lollipop are not housed in the same brand. You must enable encryption.

In the Security section of the Settings panel, tap the Device Encryption button. You will then be prompted to set a PIN, password, or lock pattern. Encryption has no impact on the operation of applications, nor on system updates or device performance.

RULE N ° 4 | Enable remote lock
Prepare for the worst and anticipate the loss or theft of your mobile. In Android Settings, scroll down and tap Google. Tap the Security button, and then in Android Device Manager, enable the Locate this device remotely and Allow remote lock and delete data options.