José Simões, software developer, offers you several recommendations to improve the security and privacy of your smartphone
Android devices, iOS devices and basic phones are the 3 categories where smartphones are currently divided according to Jose Simois. This software developer Published on his website A Mobile Phone Security and Privacy Guide Which helps greatly in keeping your smartphone safe from threats. Your device does not fall into any of the 3 primary categories, these are: 10 tips from the experts They will be useful for you too.
In particular, the guide prepared by José Simões aims to help improve the security and privacy of your mobile phone. This does not affect its performance. Before applying the advice, the expert advises to identify What threat models can you face?. For example, if it’s just big tech companies interested in your data or if it’s your country’s government that’s interested in you. Once you know the threats, you’ll know what tips to apply to protect yourself.
An expert advice to protect your mobile from threats
Simões assured that It is impossible to have a 100% private and secure mobile phone, but these 10 tips he shares on his website can help you get closer to that perfect percentage. The first 7 recommendations on the list are focused on protecting against vulnerable threats, while Last 3 include them in Security measures against the most serious threats. Let’s see what they are and what each of them consists of.
Delete apps you don’t use and their associated accounts
Uninstall all applications that you do not use frequently on your mobile
If the threats your smartphone faces are low-risk and you don’t want to change your phone significantly, the first recommendation Jose Simois gives you is Uninstall applications that you don’t use often. It often happens that we download apps that we use only once and we do not open again in the future, forgetting that they are still downloaded in the terminal.
This application may be the source of the problem, which is why experts recommend that you delete them from the system if you know you are not going to use them. Additionally, it gives you suggestions Delete the associated user account Those applications.
Use open source apps if possible
Another recommendation to keep your mobile safe from threats Use only open source apps. For this, you can rely on F-droid help, one of the best alternatives on the Google Play Store It is a store where all applications are open source. Therefore, there you will find the best option to follow this expert recommendation.
If you don’t know these types of applications, here at Andro4all we will talk to you about the open source applications for Android that we use the most in 2023. Some of them are like this Moshidon, Simple Gallery Pro, Quillnote and DuckDuckGo privacy browsersThe following tips are of particular importance for one next.
Use highly secure passwords
In case of low intensity threat, it is always recommended to use it Complex passwords that are very difficult to guess. If you are not particularly skilled in generating such codes, you can use the help of the best websites to generate strong passwords.
The usual thing is that they code very extensively Alternate numbers, letters and punctuation, so remembering them becomes especially complicated. For this, there are also password managers for Android, of which José Simões recommends installing KeePassDX or Nextcloud Password. In addition, the expert explains that you should use Managers who encrypt passwords And that they are open source.
Avoid Google and Apple services
Cybersecurity experts advise against using Google services
If you have an Android mobile, you use Google services such as Gmail, Google Photos, Google Maps or Files. If you have an iOS mobile, it is natural that you use tools like Apple Maps, Apple Mail or Safari. But the guide has a tip Leave Google and Apple servicesand give Preference for local solutions which will not put your personal information at risk.
Use matrix or signal to send message
We share a lot in messaging apps Information related to our personal lives. After all, in chat we talk about ourselves, so our full name, our address and even details related to our bank account may appear. For this reason, the Portuguese expert Recommend using matrix or signal To communicate with mobile phones.
Both Open source messaging app Which provides great privacy while chatting with other contacts. Therefore, they are more private and secure than popular tools like WhatsApp or Telegram
Find a more secure browser than Google Chrome
Firefox is one of the most secure web browsers out there right now
Not the most secure messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, Google Chrome is not a personal browser either. For this reason, Jose Simoes recommends believing Bold or N Firefox as an alternative If we want to navigate with complete safety. In addition, we remember a browser that we mentioned earlier, DuckDuckGo, which will help you navigate without affecting your personal information.
Do not share personal information on social networks
Jose Simois’ advice includes a very simple one: Do not share personal information on your social networks. This is important so that other users besides the big tech companies don’t know compromised information about you or information they can later take advantage of.
Switch to a Google Pixel if possible
The last 3 tips given by cyber security experts are particularly focused Dealing with very dangerous threats, and also if you are particularly interested in your privacy and security when it comes to your mobile security The first formed among them Switch to a Google Pixel mobileIf you don’t already have it.
Why? Google smartphone They are easy to change, so it won’t cost you much to implement the necessary security changes For example, on a Pixel you can easily install a more secure custom ROM.
Install GrapheneOS or CalyxOS
José Simões’ great recommendations include installing GrapheneOS or CalyxOS. two Open source Android alternatives Which gives more consideration to users’ privacy and security. According to experts, GrapheneOS is more secure, while CalyxOS has the advantage that it is easy to install on your mobile phone.
LineageOS can also be useful
If you can’t change your phone Mobile, advice is Install LineageOS, among the best ROMs available for Android smartphones If your phone is compatible, you’ll be better protected. However, Simões insists that the best option is to switch to a Pixel and install the operating systems mentioned in the previous recommendation.
You can follow Andro4all inside Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter (X) advice or suggestion Our Telegram channel To stay up to date with the latest technology news.
