Especially one running services from Google.
That doesnt mean you have to make it easy on an attacker, though.
During the setup, double-check you disable any options asking to track your data.
initiate the options app and head to Security > Screen Lock.
Set a password that includes numbers and letters.
Dont use your fingerprint to sign in.Fingerprint sensors are convenient, but the law around them is complicated.
Its better to just not use it at all.
Encrypt your phone (if it isnt already).Some manufacturers dont encrypt your phone by default.
If you have to enter a PIN before the phone boots up, its probably encrypted already.
Just to be sure, head to options > Security.
Under Encryption, you should see Encrypt phone.
If it says Encrypted below that, youre good.
Otherwise, tap it and follow the instructions to encrypt your phone.
Head to configs > Notifications then tap the gear icon at the top.
Finally, tap On the lock screen.
Head tothis link, tap the menu button at the top, and choose Activity Controls.
Here, you might disable location tracking, search tracking, voice tracking, and even your YouTube history.
If youd rather Google not have that info, head to controls > Backup & reset > Backup.
Then, head to parameters > Apps and tap the gear icon at the top.
Then tap App permissions.
Here youll be able to see permissions for things like Calendar, Contacts, Location, and Microphone.
Tap each one and disable any apps you dont trust.
Keep in mind, this may break some apps if youre not sure why they need that permission.
If youre really not sure you might trust an app, you might be better off uninstalling it.
This protects your tokens in the event someone steals and unlocks your phone.
On the one hand, it means Google will have information about where you are.
However, you’re able to also use it to locate or wipe your phone remotely.
However, thats only part of the equation.
Next, youll need to take a look at the apps you use every day.
Protecting your privacy, however, is rarely the most convenient.
On the desktop, Brave has a weird system that lets users choose topay publishers instead of seeing ads.
Email: ProtonMail or Gmail
For the most thorough email privacy,ProtonMailis the way to go.
It encrypts all of your messages by default.
you could send email to other ProtonMail users and theyll be able to read it like normal.
Every email is sent over SSL and Google encrypts each message from sender to receiver.
For those who want the absolute most privacy possible, however, Signal offers a slight edge.
It doesnt store metadata about who youre talking to, but WhatsApp does.
Neither app knows what youre talking about, but WhatsApp knows who youre talkingwithand when.
If WhatsApp receives a legal warrant, it can hand over that data.
Even if law enforcement requested it from Google, they wouldnt be able to read it.
Still, its important to know that the backup is there.
Password managers can generate long, complicated passwords for you and automatically enter them into the sites you visit.
Our favorite password managers areLastPassand1Password.
1Password, on the other hand, offers two kinds of syncing.
This makes sure that no one can get access to your vault, even if they attack a third-party.
This is particularly useful when youre on public networks where you might not control your internet connection.
On this front, we likeHideman,NordVPN, andTunnelBear.
Each service requires a monthly fee, but you get a small allotment of data for free each month.
This should be a good start to protecting your typical Android usage from prying eyes.
