Data Security Apps on Android

Android OS has various vendors and versions and runs on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. So users who use devices based on Android face particular security challenges.

Here we list some common concerns to keep you and your Android device safe from attackers. Some of these are pretty simple, and your Android supports them already. What you need to do is to enable them. Others are more complicated; they may require third parties' tools to enhance the security shield of your Android device.



Any software has flaws; some will cause a serious security risk. So updating Android OS, either small patches or new versions, is critical to keep your device running up-to-date Android.

You should update Android by either auto setting or manual checking. However, separate vendors update their Android OS under different policies because of the Android ecosystem's diversity. Some have better services and quicker responses to new features and security patches. A list from best to worst of the leading vendors are as follows:

• Google
• LG
• Motorola
• Sony
• OnePlus
• Samsung
• HTC

Different devices and types may have different update policies, even for the same vendor. So, Google should be your first choice if you target Android devices because of the security update. You should check both vendor and model for your Android and maximize the priority of up-to-date Android to ensure to be in good shape against cybercrime.

Lock your Android device is so simple. But, some people still don't do it. In fact, you're more likely to leak your private data, like credit-card accounts, by losing your device than attacking by any malware. So lock your smartphone is a critical security step to keep privacy safe.

What's the best way to lock your phone? Android has some options.

• PIN, but not set as 1-2-3-4, it's too easy to break
• Fingerprints
• Patterns
• Voice-recognition

The main security risk on Android devices is from apps users downloaded, especially from unreliable third party application sources. Android OS itself is relatively safe, but the apps installed by yourself are another story. To avoid any malware, you should only download apps from Google Play.

Google does its best to make the Store safer than any other app sources. It scans all apps before listing them. We also read reports that bogus apps, including malicious code, occasionally make them into Google Play, but they're exceptions, not the rule.

Besides, if you tune on Google Play Protect, it can automatically scan your Android device for malware when you install programs. For maximum security, you may do as follows.

Settings > Security > Play Protect, then click Full scanning and Scan device for security threats.

Now that you know the apps from third parties may cause security issues; you need to keep an eye on updating them as long as their vendors have new security patches ready. Most Android software vendors do a good job of security updating, but it costs your time and effort to update them. So, If you're not using an app, get rid of it immediately. It will decrease the chances an attacker can exploit.

When your smartphone is in others' hands, all your private data are visible to them, either a crook or an agent of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Android gives you an option to avoid such a disclosing. To encrypt your device, go to

Settings > Security > Encrypt Device, and follow the prompts.

Then, data in your smartphone, like contacts, calendars, and notes, are safe unless you give the password to others.

Password management is a new concept in Android OS. You may have some out-of-date ideas about passwords:

• Use the same password for everything
• Write down your passwords in a notebook
• Memorize all your passwords in mind

Unfortunately, they are all not terribly practical. Android strongly suggests you use a password management program called 'password manager.'

Now Google comes with one built-in password manager. However, if your devices aren't limited to Google or Android, you can use other password management programs, such as LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane.

Wi-Fi is the primary channel by which malware passes your private data. Even if you set a firewall for both inbound and outbound connections, you cannot isolate the Internet risk completely. So, if you're not using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, turn them off. It will decrease the chances dramatically that cybercriminals attack your smartphone.

Bluetooth hackers are still alive and work similarly to Wi-Fi hackers. So, turn off Bluetooth too. If you don't use it, don't give them a chance.

Android devices span various vendors, distributors, and developers, so they have more complicated security challenges and requirements. For example, public Wi-Fi and third parties' apps sometimes cause security issues in Android devices. It's why more and more companies enter the Android security market. Here we list some of them to help you get extra protection for Android devices.

Producer	Name	Area	Free
McAfee, LLC.	Mcafee Total Protection	Antivirus Password VPN Service Internet Security File Security Parental Control
	Mcafee Identity Protection	Privacy Security VPN Service
	Mcafee Connect VPN	VPN Service
	Mcafee Safe Family	Parental Control
NortonLifeLock Inc.	Norton 360 AntiVirus	Antivirus Data Backup Internet Security Password Parental Control VPN Service
	Norton Mobile Security	Internet Security VPN Service
	Norton Secure VPN	VPN Service
	Norton Family	Parental Control
BitDefender, LLC.	Bitdefender Premium Security	Internet Security Password VPN Service File Security Parental Control
	Bitdefender Mobile Security	Internet Security Privacy Security
	Bitdefender Premium VPN	VPN Service
F-Secure Cyber Security Limited	F-Secure SAFE/TOTAL	Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
	F-Secure Id Protection	Password Privacy Security
Nord Inc.	NordVPN	VPN Service Password
	NordPass Password Manager	Password Privacy Security
Webroot Inc.	Webroot SecureAnywhere	Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup
	Webroot WiFi Security	VPN Service
Kaspersky Lab	Kaspersky Anti Virus & Security	Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup Privacy Security Parental Control
	Kaspersky Safe Kids	Parental Control
Avast Software	Avast One	Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
Malwarebytes Inc.	Malwarebytes Security	Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
K7 Computing Pvt Ltd.	K7 Antivirus & Secuirty	Antivirus Internet Security Parental Control
Avast Software s.r.o.	AVG Ultimate	Antivirus Internet Security File Security VPN Service
Avira Operations	Avira PRIME	Antivirus Internet Security File Security VPN Service
Sophos Ltd.	Sophos Home	Antivirus Internet Security
Trend Micro Inc.	Trend Premium Security	Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
Aura	Hotspot Shield	VPN Service Password Antivirus Privacy Security
CyberGhost	CyberGhost VPN	VPN Service
Express VPN International Ltd	ExpressVPN	VPN Service
Surfshark Ltd.	Surfshark VPN	VPN Service
AgileBits, Inc.	1Password Password Manager	Password File Security VPN Service
Keeper Security, Inc.	Keeper Password Manager	Password File Security Privacy Security
LogMeIn,Inc.	LastPass Password Manager	Password File Security Privacy Security
Bitwarden, Inc.	Bitwarden Password Manager	Password File Security
Siber Systems, Inc.	RoboForm Password Manager	Password File Security
Dashlane Inc.	Dashlane Password Manager	Password
Pervasive Group Inc.	MMGuardia Parental Control	Parental Control
Qustodio LLC.	Qustodio Family Premium	Parental Control
Content Watch Holdings, Inc.	Net Nanny Family Pass	Parental Control
Mobicip LLC.	Mobicip Parental Control	Parental Control
Acronis International GmbH	Acronis True Cyber Protection	Data Backup File Security
Google LLC	Google One	Data Backup
Microsoft Corporation	Microsoft OneDrive	Data Backup
Apple Inc.	Apple iCloud Drive	Data Backup
IDrive Inc.	iDrive	Data Backup
Dropbox, Inc.	Dropbox Plus/Family/Professional	Data Backup
Skymatic Inc.	Cryptomator Encrypt	File Security Data Backup
Aiseesoft Studio	FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery	File Security
iMobie Inc.	PhoneRescue	File Security

As we mentioned, the apps you downloaded are the primary source of malicious code. If your apps are from Google Play, Google Play Protect does an excellent job protecting your smartphone.

Users cannot guarantee to download apps from Google Play alone, as well as Google Play Protect cannot dig out all malicious code at the first moment. So that employ third parties' Internet security suite is a good option if your smartphone is running lots of apps. The below free list has a good reputation at Android OS.



When you connect with Wi-Fi, you may not know who the Wi-Fi service provider is. In some cases, your smartphone runs under free Wi-Fi, such as a local coffee shop or public park. It's a huge security risk because the free Wi-Fi providers theoretically can get all the content you communicate through Wi-Fi. You can use free Wi-Fi, but you need extra security protection: it's VPN. Some third parties offer mobile VPN on Android.