Friday, January 25, 2013

Must you be Wary Of Android Security

By Liz Underwood


From hackers to malware, smartphone security is beginning to be a challenge that companies are trying to contain. As the surge in individuals getting smartphones continues, the same is true the total number of criminal gangs and computer nerds looking for a way to hack or acquire info from your cellphone.

Trojans can not only turn off a variety of capabilities on your Google Android phone but might also leave a backdoor allowing different types of snoopware (applications that look for private data to transmit back to the hacker) to be added and compromise the cellphone.

In this respect, Google has taken a lot of precautionary security steps while developing the Android OS which provided the ability to push improvements and patches to Android mobile phones without worrying about end user having to request it. This function was a lifesaver for many Android customers when in March 2011, Google introduced a security patch that blocked rogue software from interacting with private data, effectively incorporating a kill switch for these nasty applications.

The malevolent software in the center the issue was called the DroidDream Trojan and it was found to be included in well over 58 applications. By simply sending out the remotely triggered enhance, Google was able to perform virtual surgery on Android phones throughout the world. This is only one of various ways your Android device is safeguarded.

You can even make your Android smartphone safer using a few simple strategies.

Firstly you'll want to configure the device's password to prevent low-level malware from getting installed. To achieve this open the Settings ... Location & Security Settings ... Configure the password of your liking. Now, configure a small Timeout option with Settings ... Display ... Set a value (if possible less than a minute).

A second security measure is to apply the authorization system that imposes polices on what processes an app can carry out. It also defines the files it is permitted to access. This locks down your smartphone so even if a rogue software package makes its way on to your phone it's restricted to what it may do. Without setting up permissions there exists a chance that malware applications can quietly acquire all of the information from your phone.

Ultimately, there are a number of third party security apps available like Norton's Mobile Security software which can perform many valuable functions like blocking unauthorized apps from being installed in the first place. In addition it can even remotely lock down the smartphone if the SIM card has been taken out. This is extremely helpful if the phone gets swiped!




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