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Consider your online payment options

Using a credit card is much better than using a debit card; there are more consumer protections for credit cards if something goes awry. Or, you can use a third-party payment service instead of your credit card. There are many services you can use to pay for purchases – like Google Pay –without giving the […]

Use Google prompts to confirm logins on a mobile device

Two-factor authentication (2FA) makes your accounts more secure. For a Google Account, confirming each new login via a prompt is one of the safest and most convenient 2FA options. Once you enable the option from your account page, you can confirm or deny login requests from your mobile device. On Android, these prompts come from […]

Don’t assume an app is safe just because it came from an official app store

Downloading apps from official sources such as the Apple App Store and Google Play is far safer than sideloading apps or buying them from third-party stores. Still, even official apps can have their security compromised or be problematic for privacy. The best way to mitigate your risk is to check the permissions the apps ask […]

Screen calls to your mobile device

If you’re overwhelmed by the volume of risky calls to your number, one measure worth considering is call screening. This functionality is available through some third-party services and is built into many Android devices via the Phone and Google Assistant apps. It will force each caller to work through a prompt before being allowed to […]

Avoid unofficial app sources on Android

Android devices provide considerable flexibility in how you download software. In addition to official stores run by Google and OEMs like Samsung, there are third-party storefronts offering many apps that never underwent any security screening. Stick to the main options to avoid installing compromised apps.