Security

Your phone is your life. It's got your contacts. Your pictures. Your emails. Your text messages. Things you wouldn't want just laying around in public. And, more and more, your phone contains your company's secrets. Who your company does business with. Strategies. Financial information. Or, perhaps more important, customers' private information.
You need to keep your Android phone safe and secure. We can help.
The good news is we've got more tools than ever at our disposal should something bad happen to your phone or tablet. There's absolutely no reason for you to lose data anymore. Nor is there any reason for you to fear the security of your data should your phone be lost or stolen. And if you're using your phone for work as well as personal business, there's no reason why your company should have to worry that its data is secure.
There are plenty of options.
For personal use, you've got to start by putting a lock code on your phone. Be it a simple PIN, pattern, password or facial recognition, you simply can't afford to have your business spread out where anyone can see it. (In fact, stop what you're doing and check your phone. If you don't have a lock code on it, here's how to add one.) But that's only half the battle. We recommend using a password manager that helps you create and store unrecognizable passwords — gibberish, really — to keep scammers from simply guessing their way in. And then we demand that you start using two-step authentication — a password and a unique, one-time code sent to your phone — for your most trusted accounts. That means Google. That means Facebook. That means Twitter.
You simply can't afford to.
For businesses, you've got things like Samsung's SAFE and KNOX, which help provide walled gardens for apps or data, under company control and completely separate from your personal stuff. That means your stuff is yours, their stuff is theirs, and never the twain shall meet, all on one device. And there are other options, too, from many other providers.
It's an old wives' tale that Android isn't secure. It's only not secure if you don't bother to make it secure. And we'll help you through it.
Latest about Security

Meta brings default end-to-end encryption, new features to Messenger
By Brady Snyder published
Secure chatting Meta is updating its Messenger app to be more secure and add new features, but it's part of a gradual rollout.

Best ad blockers for Chrome 2023
By Chris Wedel published
No more ads Pop-ups, banners, and video ads are, at the very least annoying, but many also harbor malware. Here are some of the best ad blockers to help cut through the noise.

Google finds critical Android security flaw, and you might be waiting for a fix
By Brady Snyder published
Security fix Another security flaw from Google allows remote code execution on Android phones. But a fix isn't ready yet.

Gmail is now much better at detecting spam following major upgrade
By Brady Snyder published
Goodbye, spam Gmail is using a new text vectorizer, called RETVec, to significantly improve spam detection while reducing false positives and latency.

Most secure Android phone 2023
By Harish Jonnalagadda last updated
Safe & sound When it comes to having a phone that can keep all your data safe and secure — but is also one you'll enjoy using — the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 are the best.

Update Chrome ASAP to patch this zero-day security flaw
By Brady Snyder published
Security fix You'll want to update Chrome ASAP, as Google says there's a fix for an actively-exploited security vulnerability within.

Android security updates: Everything you need to know
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
stay safe! The September 2023 security patch has arrived! Here's what to keep an eye out for.

Kasa Cam Outdoor review: Affordable quality
By Michael L Hicks published
Save on security It's hard to recommend security cameras with cloud storage these days, so consider using this Kasa camera that works perfectly well with just microSD storage.

Nest Aware vs. Ring Protect: Which is the better deal?
By Jeramy Johnson last updated
Whether you're just trying to keep track of a handful of cameras or want a more fully-featured home security system, Nest Aware and Ring Protect can help you get the most out of your smart home tech.

How much do Ring camera storage plans cost?
By Jeramy Johnson, Samuel Contreras last updated
Ring's smart security cameras work fine with a free account, but they're made even better with a Ring Protect subscription.

Gmail's verified checkmarks are being duped by scammers
By Nickolas Diaz published
A cybersecurity engineer discovered a scammer abusing Gmail's new verified checkmark system.

The problem with Passkeys
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The Passkey concept is a fine way to approach online security but there are plenty of issues to work out.

How to secure your Google account so you're not locked out
By Brittany Vincent, Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
If you're like many internet users, a secure Google account is one of your most important assets. Secure it and your online life by following these simple steps.

Gmail gets blue verification checkmarks that actually mean something
By Michael L Hicks published
You won't have to pay a billionaire to prove that your emails come from a legitimate source.

Google starts offering passkeys as a password alternative across its services
By Jay Bonggolto published
Passkeys are spreading to all Google services across all major platforms, co-existing with passwords and two-factor authentication for now.

Users warned against Google Authenticator's new feature, but Google says not to worry
By Nickolas Diaz published
Researchers found Google Authenticator's account sync isn't encrypted but it's something that is on the way.

The definitive ranking of two-factor authentication methods
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
You should be using two-factor authentication, and you already know this. But you also need to know which method of 2FA is right for you.

How to add a security key to your Google account without activating Advanced Security
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Two-factor authentication can protect your account, and a USB Security Key makes for a great backup if you lose your phone. It's cheap peace of mind and beats the heck out of calling Google.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android