We spoke about how an Android smartphone is vulnerable to malware and virus attacks and we also showed you some sure-fire ways to detect an anomaly in your Android smartphone. Now, the next topic in this chain is how you can protect your Android smartphone from malware or virus attacks.
These are the methods that we have personally employed and to date, we have not faced any issues with our Android devices, which is why we have compiled this list. Before we get into the solutions, if you want to check out the article on the malware and virus attacks on Android smartphones, you can check it out here.
Now, without further ado, here’s how you can protect your smartphone from malware and virus attacks.
Solution 1. Download apps only from the Play Store.
The first thing you need to do to keep your Android smartphone safe is that you need to start downloading apps only from the Play Store. The Play Store only allows authorized developers to release their apps for the users, and even after that, the app goes through a Play PRotect virus scan before it can be installed on your device. If Play Protect detects a problem, it flags the app and does not allow installation on your device.
Yes, it’s tempting to sideload cracked apps or modded versions of paid apps, but you need to understand that the people who crack these premium paid apps and offer them for free usually have a bigger hidden agenda that activates the moment you install their apps on your device.
Solution 2. Run a virus scan every week.
A good practice to keep your device safe and protected is to run a virus scan on your device once a week. Earlier, users had to resort to third-party apps to get this virus scan done, but now, you can use the Play Store to scan your device and apps for a virus.
Step 1. Open the Play Store on your Android Smartphone.
Step 2. Tap on the ‘three-line‘ icon on the top left-hand side of the home page.
Step 3. Tap on the ‘My Apps and Games‘ option from the menu.
Step 4. Tap on the ‘Refresh‘ button in the Updates tab.
The Play Store will run a security check on the apps on your device and give you a security report.
Solution 3. Delete any sideloaded apps from your devices.
If you have installed any app via the sideload method, please make sure you delete it from your device. The procedure is the same as any other app. You can simply long-press on the sideloaded app and tap the uninstall button.
Solution 4. Factory Reset the smartphone.
If you are facing prolonged issues with your smartphone, the last resort, and sometimes the best alternative is to factory reset your Android smartphone.
In conclusion, please refrain from downloading and installing apps that are not available on the App Store. Also, downloading cracked or modded apps are not ethical and take away the effort put in by the developers of the original app. Keep your smartphone safe and stay ethical on the internet.
