The rate of people using android
device now is very alarming. The
open-source operating system that
is led by Google is now found on
more than
half of all smartphones. In fact,
research firm
Strategy Analytics found that 81.3
percent, or
204.4 million, of smartphones
shipped in the
third quarter of 2013 were
powered by
Android. *wow*
This massive user base has caught
the
attention of cybercriminals, who
have begun
to double down on their efforts to
illegally
obtain personal information from
Android users. One of most
important things that can happen
with Android is privacy invasion.
Mobile malware can allow
cybercriminals to
intercept messages, monitor calls,
steal
personal information, and even
listen in with
the device's microphone.
Perhaps even more troubling is
that
cybercriminals are now coming up
with more
complex ways to attack mobile
devices, most
of which are not protected.
While antivirus apps can help
secure your
device, there are other steps that
can be
taken to better protect yourself
from
encountering mobile malware.
Legitimate app stores
When downloading apps it's
imperative that
you only do so from a legitimate
app store;
that means from companies like
Google,
Amazon, Samsung, or another
major
manufacturer or carrier.
These marketplaces are monitored
and
scanned for potentially dangerous
or
fraudulent programs. On occasion,
however,
malicious apps sometimes slip
through the
cracks, often disguised as
legitimate ones.
A fake BBM app recently appeared
in the
Google Play store and managed to
secure
more than 100,000 downloads
before being
removed. The app itself was
nothing more
than a spamming service.
Suspicious apps
The fake BBM app is a great
example. While
anyone who actually read the
reviews
wouldn't have downloaded it,
thousands of
users did. One of the best
defenses against
malware is to notice things like
suspicious
apps with outrageous promises,
bad reviews,
and sketchy app permissions.
Pirated apps
Taking a legitimate Android
application package (APK)
file and binding it with a
malicious program
is a relatively simple process.
Most pirated or cracked apps
usually contain
some form of malware.
Settings
Google includes numerous settings
in the
Android operating system that can
prevent
malicious attacks. Devices running
Android
4.2 or higher have access to
Google's
malware scanner. This can be
enabled by
going to Settings, clicking on
Security, and
checking the "Verify apps" box.
Prior to installing an application
you downloaded
outside of the Play store, Google
will scan the app and warn you of
any potential
threats.
Devices running Android 4.2 or
higher are
also protected from premium SMS
charges. A
notification will alert you if an app
is
attempting to send a text message
using a
premium service, at which point
you can
approve or deny the transaction.
This feature
is built directly into the operating
system
and does not need to be enabled.
Software updates
While this may not be an option
for most
users, if there is an update for
your device
make sure you download and
install it.
Manufacturers, carriers, and
Google are
constantly pushing out updates
with bug
fixes, enhancements, and new
features that
can make your device more secure.
To check for an update on stock
Android go
to Settings, click on the "About
phone" or
"About tablet" option, and select
System
Updates.
Antivirus apps
The Google Play store is also home
to
hundreds of antivirus apps that
can offer an
extra layer of protection. Finding
the right
one, however, can sometimes be
difficult. A
simple "antivirus" search in the
store yields
more than 250 results. So which
one should
you choose?
Companies like Avast , AVG,
BitDefender ,
Kaspersky, Sophos , Symantec
(Norton ), and
TrendMicro have long and
established
histories as some of the most
trusted brands
in the industry.
Earlier this
year, AV-Test, an independent IT
security
institute that ranks antivirus apps
based on
protection and usability, rated
TrustGo and
Lookout as the top two antivirus
programs on
the Android platform.
Each security provider I mentioned
above
scored higher than average for
protection
against malware , with most
detecting
malicious apps more than 99
percent of the
time. Any of these programs would
be a safe
and smart option for your
smartphone or
tablet.
Many of these companies also offer
additional features for a small
monthly fee.
These include things like anti-theft
protection, safer Web browsing,
device
tracking, remote wiping, and more.
It should
be noted, however, that Google's
Android
Device Manager offers similar
functionality
for locating a lost or stolen device.
The tool
can be accessed online or through
a free app
on the Play store.
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