You’re either using an APPLE device, or you’re using a device powered by Android operating system. Maybe you have Blackberry, or some gonzo device – either way, it’s time to update yourself on the knowledge with Android’s new privacy features.
Frankly, any device you have now – you should get very familiar with the PRIVACY SETTINGS. Want to avoid a lifetime to CyberSecurity, and Information Security knowledge? Hate techy-tech stuff? Goto PRIVACY SETTINGS, and start to give a damn. You’ll thank us later.
Bottom Line Up Front: There are a few reasons why Android is considered inferior to Apple iPhone in terms of privacy, safety and security which often centers on some key points to include that Android is an open-source operating system, while iOS is a closed-source operating system; Android devices are more fragmented than iOS devices; and Android users are more likely to install apps from third-party sources. As there are numerous features that have recently rolled out, Google is making a bid to change that perception and there is a lot of ground to cover in this edition of Smoke Signal.
Android’s New Privacy Features
Google has announced several new privacy features for Android, including a new tracker detection tool and a new privacy dashboard. These features are designed to help users protect their privacy and control how their data is used.
Tracker Detection
The new tracker detection tool will help users identify apps that are tracking their activity. When an app is tracking the user, the tracker detection tool will show a notification in the status bar that a user can then choose to block the app from tracking them.
Privacy Dashboard
The new privacy dashboard will give users a central location to view and control their privacy settings. The dashboard will show users which apps have access to their location, contacts, and other sensitive data. Users can also use the dashboard to revoke access to apps that they no longer use.
Other Notable Privacy Features
In addition to the tracker detection tool and the privacy dashboard, Google is also making several other changes to improve the privacy of Android. These changes include:
- A new permission that will allow users to control whether apps can access their microphone and camera.
- A new permission that will allow users to control whether apps can track them across apps and websites.
- A new setting that will allow users to prevent apps from accessing their location when they are not using the app.
These new privacy features will help users protect their privacy and control how their data is used within the Android ecosystem.
How to Use the New Privacy Features
To use the new privacy features, users will need to update their Android devices to the latest version of the operating system. Once their devices are updated, they can use the following steps to access the new features:
- Open the “Settings” app.
- Tap on “Privacy & Security”.
- Tap on “Privacy Dashboard”.
- The privacy dashboard will show a list of all the apps that have access to a user’s data.
- Users can configure the privacy dashboard to revoke access to apps they no longer use.
- Users can also specify within the privacy dashboard to turn on or off permissions for individual apps.
The new privacy features are a powerful tool that can help users protect their privacy. By using these features, users can better control how their data is used and keep their personal information safe.
Android’s New Safety Features
In addition to the new privacy features, Google is also introducing several new safety features for Android. These features are designed to help users protect themselves from harmful apps and websites.
Find My Device
One of the most significant new safety features is a new feature called “Find My Device.” This feature will allow users to track the location of their lost or stolen devices and will allow users to remotely lock their devices or erase their data.
To use Find My Device, users can take following steps to access the new features:
- Make sure that their device is turned on and connected to the internet.
- Sign into their Google account on the device.
- Enable “Find My Device”.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Once Find My Device is enabled, users can track the location of their device, remotely lock their device, or erase its data.)
To track the location of a device, a user can take the following steps:
- Go to the “Find My Device” website.
- Sign into their Google account.
- Click on the device they want to track.
- The device’s location will be displayed on a map.
To remotely lock a device, a user can take the following steps:
Go to the “Find My Device” website.
Sign into their Google account.
Click on the device they want to lock.
Click on “Lock”.
Enter a new PIN for their device.
Click on “Lock”.
To remotely erase a device, a user can take the following steps:
Go to the “Find My Device” website.
Sign into their Google account.
Click on the device they want to erase.
Click on “Erase”.
Click on “Erase Device”.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Once a user erases their device, all its data will be permanently deleted.)
Safe Browsing
Google is also introducing a new feature called “Safe Browsing” which will warn users if they are about to visit a harmful website. Safe Browsing is powered by Google’s Threat Intelligence Network, which leverages a global network of computers that are constantly scanning the web for harmful websites.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Per the Google Safe Browsing website, this service helps protect over five billion devices every day by showing warnings to users when they attempt to navigate to dangerous sites or download dangerous files. Safe Browsing also notifies webmasters when their websites are compromised by malicious actors and helps them diagnose and resolve the problem so that their visitors stay safer. Safe Browsing protections work across Google products and power safer browsing experiences across the Internet.)
Android’s New Security Features
In addition to the new privacy and safety features, Google is also introducing several new security features for Android. These features are designed to help users protect their devices from malware and other threats.
Verified Boot
One of the most significant new security features is a new feature called “Verified Boot.” This feature will help to ensure that only authorized software can be installed on a device. Verified Boot is a security feature that helps to protect Android devices from malware and other threats.
It works by verifying the authenticity of the operating system before it is booted up. This helps to ensure that only authorized software can be installed on the device.
Google Play Protect
Google is also introducing a new feature called “Google Play Protect.” This feature will scan apps for malware and other threats before they are installed on a device.
Google Play Protect is a security feature that scans apps for malware and other threats before they are installed on Android devices. It also uses Google’s Threat Intelligence Network to identify malicious apps.
Conclusion
Google’s new privacy, safety, and security features are a welcome addition to Android as these upgrades will help users protect their personal information, keep their devices safe, and stay secure online. It is a massive improvement to help users improve their digital hygiene and reduce their digital footprint and digital dust from being expelled and weaponized by threat actors within the Digital Exhaust Ecosystem.