Android devices are popular for a reason: they’re versatile and easy to use. But with so many apps and updates available, it’s easy to leave your phone vulnerable to attack. Here are four geeky tricks to reduce Android phone security:

  1. Use a password manager. A password manager stores all of your passwords in one place, so you can easily remember them and avoid having to type them in every time you sign into an account. There are a variety of password managers available on Android, including 1Password and LastPass.
  2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA is a security feature that requires you to enter not only your username and password, but also a code sent to your phone via text or an app. This helps protect your account from unauthorized access. 2FA is available on most major platforms, including Android and iOS.
  3. Use secure messaging apps. Messaging apps are a great way to stay in touch with friends and family without having to share personal information like addresses or phone numbers. However, many messaging apps don’t encrypt messages by default, which makes them vulnerable to attack. Some secure messaging apps include Signal and WhatsApp; both offer two-factor authentication as well as encrypted messages by default.
  4. Keep your device up-to-date with security patches . Security patches help protect your device against known vulnerabilities in the software that runs on it, such as bugs that could be exploited by hackers . Keeping your device up-to-date with the latest security patches is essential for protecting yourself against attacks . Many Android devices come preinstalled with the latest security patches , but if not, you can download them from Google Play or the App Store . ..

Android geeks often unlock their devices’ bootloaders, root them, enable USB debugging, and allow software installation from outside the Google Play Store. But there are reasons why Android devices don’t come with all these tweaks enabled.

Every geeky trick that allows you to do more with your Android device also peels away some of its security. It’s important to know the risks you’re exposing your devices to and understand the trade-offs.

Bootloader Unlocking

RELATED: The Security Risks of Unlocking Your Android Phone’s Bootloader

Android bootloaders come locked by default. This isn’t just because the evil manufacturer or cellular carrier wants to lock down their device and prevent you from doing anything with it. Even Google’s own Nexus devices, which are marketed towards Android developers as well as users, come with locked boot loaders by default.

A locked bootloader ensures an attacker can’t simply install a new Android ROM and bypass your device’s security. For example, let’s say someone steals your phone and wants to gain access to your data. If you have a PIN enabled, they can’t get in. But, if your bootloader is unlocked, they can install their own Android ROM and bypass any PIN or security setting you have enabled. This is why unlocking a Nexus device’s bootloader will wipe its data — this will prevent an attacker from unlocking a device to steal data.

If you use encryption, an unlocked bootloader could theoretically allow an attacker compromise your encryption with the freezer attack, booting a ROM designed to identify your encryption key in memory and copy it. Researchers have successfully performed this attack against a Galaxy Nexus with an unlocked bootloader.

You may want to re-lock your bootloader after you unlock it and install the custom ROM you want to use. Of course, this is a trade-off when it comes to convenience — you’ll have to unlock your bootloader again if you ever want to install a new custom ROM.

Rooting

Rooting bypasses Android’s security system. In Android, each app is isolated, with its own Linux user ID with its own permissions. Apps can’t access or modify protected parts of the system, nor can they read data from other apps. A malicious app that wanted to access your banking credentials couldn’t snoop on your installed bank app or access its data — they’re isolated from each other.

When you root your device, you can allow apps to run as the root user. This gives them access to the entire system, which allows them to do things that wouldn’t normally be possible. If you installed a malicious app and gave it root access, it would be able to compromise your entire system.

Apps that require root access can be especially dangerous and should be scrutinized extra carefully. Don’t give apps you don’t trust access to everything on your device with root access.

USB Debugging

RELATED: What Is “Juice Jacking”, and Should I Avoid Public Phone Chargers?

USB debugging allows you to do things like transfer files back and forth and record videos of your device’s screen. When you enable USB debugging, your device will accept commands from a computer you plug it into via a USB connection. With USB debugging disabled, the computer has no way to issue commands to your device. (However, a computer could still copy files back and forth if you unlocked your device while it was plugged in.)

In theory, it would be possible for a malicious USB charging port to compromise connected Android devices if they had USB debugging enabled and accepted the security prompt. This was particularly dangerous in older versions of Android, where an Android device wouldn’t display a security prompt at all and would accept commands from any USB connection if they had USB debugging enabled.

Luckily, Android now provides a warning, even if you have USB debugging enabled. You have to confirm the device before it can issue US debugging commands. If you plug your phone into a computer or a USB charging port and see this prompt when you’re not expecting it, don’t accept it. In fact, you should leave USB debugging disabled unless you’re using it for something.

The idea that a USB charging port could tamper with your device is known as “juice jacking.”

Unknown Sources

RELATED: 5+ Ways to Install Android Apps on Your Phone or Tablet

This setting is disabled by default, as it prevents less knowledgeable users from downloading APK files from websites or emails and installing them without due diligence.

Either way, you should be extra careful of apps you install from outside Google Play. Android will now offer to scan them for malware, but, like any antivirus, this feature isn’t perfect.

Each of these features makes it possible to take full control over some aspect of your device, but they’re all disabled by default for security reasons. When enabling them, be sure you know the risks.

Image Credit: Sancho McCann on Flickr