What do we talk about when we talk about malware attacks? We talk about Windows PCs, right? It’s high time that we’ve to start including Android Smartphones in the list. Following the unprecedented popularity of Android devices, evil hands have refocused their attention to the Open Source Platform as well. Even when manufacturers and Google are trying hard to keep Android OS safe, several vulnerabilities may be there. And, what’s more, hackers use different methods to attack your Android Device with malware. For the basic user, it may not be possible to understand those attacks in the first. However, you can take some precautionary steps to prevent Malware Attack on Android Devices.
Here, we have a few tips and steps that help you can use to protect your device from Malware Attacks. We don’t mean to talk about absolute Android security. On the other hand, it’s about having a better protective layer when exposed to the common malware threats and other modes of attack. Before that, we shall list out some of the most used forms of Android Malware Attacks.
- Fake Banking Apps are deployed in order to steal financial info and thus to steal money. These apps may seem as legitimate apps, but in fact, they are there to steal your digitally-stored money.
- AndroidOS Fake Player is another type of malware that infects devices, disguised as a media player. However, as it comes to the real scene, the app is meant to steal your money via sending premium SMSs.
- Needless to say, there are several backdoor apps that steal your passwords, financial data and contact data. All of this data will be used for undesired purposes and black-hat marketing needs.
Read: Do You Really Need to Use Antivirus on Android?
Be it money or data, malware attacks assure you some loss. So, it makes enough sense to prevent the device from being a subject to such digital malware attacks. Now, we will move onto the ways you can follow to prevent them. You might be aware of some steps, but extra protection is always worth the effort.
Keep OS & Apps Up-to-Date
It’s common among people to run outdated versions of OS as well as apps. It’s so because people don’t really like to spend data for updating stuff. However, having outdated apps in the device is a major loophole for hackers to attack. There may be loopholes and backdoors that exist in each OS release. In most cases, your manufacturer will have released a patch or upgrade. So, if you don’t install those upgrades or patches, you are at the risk of being a victim of malware attack. This is indeed an effective way to get rid of malware attacks.
Don’t Trust Unknown Sources
Where do you download apps from? If the answer is Google Play Store, you don’t have to worry much. It’s so because the app store has been equipped with several algorithms to ensure the safety of Android devices and experience. Or, we can say that Google does not allow a single app that affects your privacy and safety. However, when you download apps from other sources, there is no surety about safety. There can be any kind of app that may have different kinds of attacks. They may create backdoors in the OS and let malware affect your Android device.
Extra Reading:
- Tips to Protect Data from Viruses In your Android Phone
- 12 Reasons Why You Should Use a Mobile Antivirus Program
So, try to depend only upon Play Store when you need apps. In addition, always pay attention to the permissions required by each Android app. Starting from Marshmallow, it is possible to find individual permissions and all. So, if an app is requiring complete access to the device, try to make sure that it’s authentic. Otherwise, you should take enough effort to get it off the list.
Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi; If Necessary, use a VPN
As you know, Public Wi-Fi connections expose your data to others in that particular network. In such a scenario, there are chances that your device security may be compromised. So, for the sake of security, you should try avoiding Public Wi-Fi hotspots as often as possible. However, if there is a necessary situation to use a Public Wi-Fi connection, you can depend upon a Virtual Private Network service. This way, you will be able to block others from peeking into your traffic and device. All the connections will be done through the tunnel created by VPN service. All in all, avoidance of Public Wi-Fi seems to be an awesome way to prevent malware attacks.
Use an Android Ad-Blocker App
As you know, there are several applications that allow you to get rid of advertisements in Android. In case if you did not know, pop-up ads and other options are used to spread malware to Android devices. We are not talking about Google Ads you see. On the other hand, the real culprits are those third-party apps you find from downloads sites and all. You might have seen such ads while trying to download some ringtones or something. It’s a fact that you may close the pop-ups as soon as they appear. However, by the time you do something, those ads have installed some serious malware in devices. In short, ads are quite dangerous than you expect them to be. So, it makes enough sense to use an Ad-Blocker application in the device. In this way, you can get rid of annoying ads, as well as putting an extra layer of security.
Use an Antivirus or Mobile Security App
There are many Android apps that are meant to protect you from malware attacks, privacy theft and other major issues. If you don’t have enough time to take care of all these sections individually, you can try installing a trustworthy antivirus app in your device. Bitdefender Mobile Security is, for instance, one of the choices you can trust. And, the best part is that you get additional features such as Anti-Theft Protection, Web Protection etc. So, you can be sure of the fact that no kind of malware will have access to your data or device itself. Nevertheless, you should be conscious when you pick a mobile security solution. It makes sense to go with Bitdefender Mobile Security or other trusted sources than to take a chance. It is useful for busy users, because most antivirus tools come with real-time scanning capabilities and associated features.
Summing Up
So, these are some proven ways to prevent Malware Attacks on your Android device. We repeat, it’s not about an absolute security layer. But, rather, you can have an extra layer. Do you have any other ways to protect your device from being a victim to malware attacks?
