#digitalsafety — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #digitalsafety, aggregated by home.social.
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How to Make Sure Your Android Phone Is Secure in 2026
Android phones contain everything from personal photos and private conversations to banking information and account passwords. As online scams, malicious apps and phone theft become more sophisticated, reviewing the security features built into an Android device is increasingly important.
A recent Engadget guide to Android phone security highlights several practical steps users can take to protect their devices, accounts and personal information.
Keep Android and Your Apps Updated
Installing software updates is one of the easiest ways to improve Android security. Updates frequently include fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities, along with enhanced privacy and theft-protection tools.
Users can generally check for Android updates by opening:
Settings > System > Software updates
Apps should also be updated regularly through the Google Play Store. Automatic updates can be enabled under the Play Store’s network preferences, while pending updates can be reviewed under Manage apps and device.
Because menu names may vary by phone manufacturer and Android version, users may need to search for “software update” inside the Settings app.
Protect Your Google Account
A Google account is connected to many of the phone’s most important features, including email, photos, contacts, backups and payment information. Engadget recommends enabling two-step verification so that a password alone cannot provide access to the account.
Two-step verification can be configured through the Google Account’s Security & sign-in section.
Android users should also enable automatic backups. A recent backup can make it much easier to recover contacts, messages, photos, settings and other important information if a phone is damaged, lost or stolen.
Set Up Find Hub Before the Phone Goes Missing
Google’s Find Hub service can help users locate, ring, lock or erase a missing Android device. However, the necessary settings should be checked before the phone disappears.
Users should confirm that location services are active and that the phone is allowed to be located through Find Hub. The service can then be accessed from another phone, tablet or computer.
Backing up the device and activating Find Hub together provides a stronger recovery plan: Find Hub helps locate or secure the missing phone, while the backup protects the information stored on it.
Turn On Android’s Scam-Protection Features
Android includes tools designed to identify suspicious calls and text messages. Google’s Scam Detection feature analyzes certain conversations for patterns commonly associated with scams, including fraudulent job offers and romance schemes.
Call Scam Detection is not available on every Android phone. Engadget reports that the feature is currently available on supported Google Pixel devices, with expansion to additional phones planned.
Google Messages also offers spam and scam protection for conversations involving people outside the user’s contact list. When suspicious activity is detected, Android may display a warning and provide options to block or report the sender.
These tools can help, but no automated detection system is perfect. Users should remain cautious when callers or messages request money, passwords, verification codes or immediate action.
Review App Permissions
Android apps may request access to a phone’s location, microphone, camera, contacts, photos, messages, calendar or health information. Some permissions are necessary, but others may have little connection to an app’s actual purpose.
Permissions can typically be reviewed by opening:
Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager
Users can review permissions by category or inspect individual apps. A navigation app may reasonably require location access, for example, while a basic card game probably does not need access to contacts or text messages.
Android can also pause permissions and activity for apps that have not been used for an extended period. Enabling this option helps prevent forgotten apps from continuing to access personal information in the background.
Reduce Advertising Tracking
Android provides privacy controls that allow users to limit how their activity is used for personalized advertising. These options may include ad topics, app-suggested advertisements and ad measurement.
The controls can generally be found under:
Settings > Google > All services > Privacy & security > Ads > Ads privacy
Users can disable individual advertising features, remove selected topics or opt out of personalized advertising more broadly. Changing these settings will not eliminate advertisements, but it can reduce the amount of personal data used to customize them.
Keep Google Play Protect Enabled
Google Play Protect scans apps for malware, harmful behavior and potentially unsafe data practices. It also periodically checks apps already installed on the device.
Users can verify that the feature is active by opening the Google Play Store and selecting:
Profile icon > Play Protect > Settings
Engadget advises keeping Play Protect enabled. People who install apps from outside the Google Play Store face additional risks because those apps may not have passed Google’s standard security reviews. Android users who do not need to sideload apps should generally avoid doing so.
Activate Android Theft Protection
Newer Android devices include several features designed to protect personal information after a phone is taken. Depending on the device, these protections may include:
- Theft Detection Lock: Uses motion and connection signals to detect a possible snatch-and-run theft.
- Offline Device Lock: Locks the screen when someone takes the device offline.
- Failed Authentication Lock: Responds to repeated unsuccessful attempts to unlock the phone.
- Identity Check: Requires biometric verification before sensitive security settings can be changed.
- Remote Lock: Allows an eligible phone to be locked remotely using its verified phone number.
These tools can usually be found under:
Settings > Google > All services > Personal & device safety > Theft protection
Feature availability may depend on the phone model, manufacturer, region and installed version of Android.
Final Android Security Checklist
Android users can improve their phone security by completing a few essential tasks:
- Install all available Android and app updates.
- Enable two-step verification for the connected Google account.
- Turn on automatic backups and Find Hub.
- Activate available scam and spam protections.
- Remove unnecessary app permissions.
- Review personalized advertising settings.
- Confirm that Google Play Protect is running.
- Enable Android’s theft-protection features.
No security setting can stop every threat, but using these protections together can substantially reduce the risk of account theft, malicious apps, invasive tracking and data loss.
For the complete instructions and additional details, read Alec Hively’s original article: How to Make Sure Your Android Phone Is Secure on Engadget.
Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!
Connect With Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
Share With Us: Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page.
Advertise With Us: Interested in Advertising click here.Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |
#AndroidSecurity #AndroidTheftProtection #ConsumerTechnology #CyberSecurity #DigitalSafety #DoRaleigh #GooglePlayProtect #MobilePrivacy #News #OnlineScams #SmartphoneSafety #TechnologyTips -
How to Make Sure Your Android Phone Is Secure in 2026
Android phones contain everything from personal photos and private conversations to banking information and account passwords. As online scams, malicious apps and phone theft become more sophisticated, reviewing the security features built into an Android device is increasingly important.
A recent Engadget guide to Android phone security highlights several practical steps users can take to protect their devices, accounts and personal information.
Keep Android and Your Apps Updated
Installing software updates is one of the easiest ways to improve Android security. Updates frequently include fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities, along with enhanced privacy and theft-protection tools.
Users can generally check for Android updates by opening:
Settings > System > Software updates
Apps should also be updated regularly through the Google Play Store. Automatic updates can be enabled under the Play Store’s network preferences, while pending updates can be reviewed under Manage apps and device.
Because menu names may vary by phone manufacturer and Android version, users may need to search for “software update” inside the Settings app.
Protect Your Google Account
A Google account is connected to many of the phone’s most important features, including email, photos, contacts, backups and payment information. Engadget recommends enabling two-step verification so that a password alone cannot provide access to the account.
Two-step verification can be configured through the Google Account’s Security & sign-in section.
Android users should also enable automatic backups. A recent backup can make it much easier to recover contacts, messages, photos, settings and other important information if a phone is damaged, lost or stolen.
Set Up Find Hub Before the Phone Goes Missing
Google’s Find Hub service can help users locate, ring, lock or erase a missing Android device. However, the necessary settings should be checked before the phone disappears.
Users should confirm that location services are active and that the phone is allowed to be located through Find Hub. The service can then be accessed from another phone, tablet or computer.
Backing up the device and activating Find Hub together provides a stronger recovery plan: Find Hub helps locate or secure the missing phone, while the backup protects the information stored on it.
Turn On Android’s Scam-Protection Features
Android includes tools designed to identify suspicious calls and text messages. Google’s Scam Detection feature analyzes certain conversations for patterns commonly associated with scams, including fraudulent job offers and romance schemes.
Call Scam Detection is not available on every Android phone. Engadget reports that the feature is currently available on supported Google Pixel devices, with expansion to additional phones planned.
Google Messages also offers spam and scam protection for conversations involving people outside the user’s contact list. When suspicious activity is detected, Android may display a warning and provide options to block or report the sender.
These tools can help, but no automated detection system is perfect. Users should remain cautious when callers or messages request money, passwords, verification codes or immediate action.
Review App Permissions
Android apps may request access to a phone’s location, microphone, camera, contacts, photos, messages, calendar or health information. Some permissions are necessary, but others may have little connection to an app’s actual purpose.
Permissions can typically be reviewed by opening:
Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager
Users can review permissions by category or inspect individual apps. A navigation app may reasonably require location access, for example, while a basic card game probably does not need access to contacts or text messages.
Android can also pause permissions and activity for apps that have not been used for an extended period. Enabling this option helps prevent forgotten apps from continuing to access personal information in the background.
Reduce Advertising Tracking
Android provides privacy controls that allow users to limit how their activity is used for personalized advertising. These options may include ad topics, app-suggested advertisements and ad measurement.
The controls can generally be found under:
Settings > Google > All services > Privacy & security > Ads > Ads privacy
Users can disable individual advertising features, remove selected topics or opt out of personalized advertising more broadly. Changing these settings will not eliminate advertisements, but it can reduce the amount of personal data used to customize them.
Keep Google Play Protect Enabled
Google Play Protect scans apps for malware, harmful behavior and potentially unsafe data practices. It also periodically checks apps already installed on the device.
Users can verify that the feature is active by opening the Google Play Store and selecting:
Profile icon > Play Protect > Settings
Engadget advises keeping Play Protect enabled. People who install apps from outside the Google Play Store face additional risks because those apps may not have passed Google’s standard security reviews. Android users who do not need to sideload apps should generally avoid doing so.
Activate Android Theft Protection
Newer Android devices include several features designed to protect personal information after a phone is taken. Depending on the device, these protections may include:
- Theft Detection Lock: Uses motion and connection signals to detect a possible snatch-and-run theft.
- Offline Device Lock: Locks the screen when someone takes the device offline.
- Failed Authentication Lock: Responds to repeated unsuccessful attempts to unlock the phone.
- Identity Check: Requires biometric verification before sensitive security settings can be changed.
- Remote Lock: Allows an eligible phone to be locked remotely using its verified phone number.
These tools can usually be found under:
Settings > Google > All services > Personal & device safety > Theft protection
Feature availability may depend on the phone model, manufacturer, region and installed version of Android.
Final Android Security Checklist
Android users can improve their phone security by completing a few essential tasks:
- Install all available Android and app updates.
- Enable two-step verification for the connected Google account.
- Turn on automatic backups and Find Hub.
- Activate available scam and spam protections.
- Remove unnecessary app permissions.
- Review personalized advertising settings.
- Confirm that Google Play Protect is running.
- Enable Android’s theft-protection features.
No security setting can stop every threat, but using these protections together can substantially reduce the risk of account theft, malicious apps, invasive tracking and data loss.
For the complete instructions and additional details, read Alec Hively’s original article: How to Make Sure Your Android Phone Is Secure on Engadget.
Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!
Connect With Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
Share With Us: Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page.
Advertise With Us: Interested in Advertising click here.Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |
#AndroidSecurity #AndroidTheftProtection #ConsumerTechnology #CyberSecurity #DigitalSafety #DoRaleigh #GooglePlayProtect #MobilePrivacy #News #OnlineScams #SmartphoneSafety #TechnologyTips -
Content moderation feels…broken, right? 🤔 Yoel Roth (former Head of Trust & Safety at Twitter) says we’ve been focusing on cleaning up messes instead of preventing harm. He shifted to proactive AI tools to identify issues before reports – and now applies that to dating app safety! 🛡️
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/9qNbBohgvpo
#trustandsafety #contentmoderation #digitalsafety #compliancemanagement
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WEBINAR 3 SEP 16:00 UTC - Core Cybersecurity Best Practices for LGBTQ+ Centers
First in a free monthly webinar series from LGBT Tech built on their new Cyber Safety Guidebook, helping LGBTQ+ centers strengthen cybersecurity practices, build resilience, and create safer digital spaces.
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Fake websites, counterfeit apps, phishing pages, and social media scams are becoming more convincing every year.
Before entering your password, downloading an app, or making a payment, learn the warning signs that can help protect your accounts and money.
Read here:
🔗 https://techputs.com/how-to-spot-fake-apps-websites-and-scams/
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Fake websites, counterfeit apps, phishing pages, and social media scams are becoming more convincing every year.
Before entering your password, downloading an app, or making a payment, learn the warning signs that can help protect your accounts and money.
Read here:
🔗 https://techputs.com/how-to-spot-fake-apps-websites-and-scams/
#CyberSecurity #OnlineScams #Privacy #DigitalSafety #TechPuts
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Thank you to everyone reporting those fake accounts on #Mastodon I’m personally happy that most of the accounts were suspended.
Let’s keep showing scammers that this community does not entertain nonsense.
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Thank you to everyone reporting those fake accounts on #Mastodon I’m personally happy that most of the accounts were suspended.
Let’s keep showing scammers that this community does not entertain nonsense.
-
Thank you to everyone reporting those fake accounts on #Mastodon I’m personally happy that most of the accounts were suspended.
Let’s keep showing scammers that this community does not entertain nonsense.
-
Thank you to everyone reporting those fake accounts on #Mastodon I’m personally happy that most of the accounts were suspended.
Let’s keep showing scammers that this community does not entertain nonsense.
-
Thank you to everyone reporting those fake accounts on #Mastodon I’m personally happy that most of the accounts were suspended.
Let’s keep showing scammers that this community does not entertain nonsense.