Helpful tips for removing Android adware apps
There’s a popular notion that adware only affects desktop computers and laptops. However, Android devices are just as vulnerable to adware as computers. If your devices are displaying unwanted ads at unusual times or are pausing for no apparent reason, you could be a victim of Android adware. Luckily, there are easy ways to identify and remove them from your devices. What is adware? Adware or advertising-supported software is a program that displays unwanted ads on computers or mobile devices. It monitors browsing activity to bombard users with advertisements tailored to their interests. Some signs of an adware infection include: Ads popping up on an Android device’s lock screen and notification panel Noticeably slower performance and/or frequent crashing Fast battery drain Suspicious data usage The appearance of unknown software you did not download Changes to your browser’s home page How can you remove Android adware apps? If you notice the aforementioned signs or suspect that your Android device is infected with adware, here are ways to remove it. Use adware removal software Adware removal apps can easily remove hidden adware from Android devices. However, not all of them are safe or effective. When choosing adware removal software, make sure it can do the following: Monitor URLs and alert you against dangerous websites Warn you about the presence of suspicious apps aside from adware Automatically scan and remove adware from your device Efficiently use your device’s resources Run smoothly in the background without disrupting other apps Remove adware manually If your device does not have an adware removal tool installed, or you don’t want to download one, you can manually remove adware by following these steps: Press and hold the power button. Press and hold down the Restart or Power Off icon until a new option to reboot in safe mode appears. Tap on Safe Mode. This will restart your device in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party apps. After restarting your device in Safe Mode, go to Settings > Apps. This will bring up a list of all the apps on your device. Adware apps usually come with a greenish-blue icon and use generic file names such as Update, Back-Up, etc. Tap on the icon of the app you want to remove and select Uninstall. Note that most Android devices come with preloaded apps from the manufacturer that can’t be deleted. In such cases, the only options you can use are Force Stop or Disable. These steps will largely depend on your device’s Android version. If you’re having trouble restarting your device in Safe Mode, try referring to its manual or search online on how to restart your specific device in Safe Mode. If you want to learn more ways to protect your Android devices from adware and other cyberthreats, give us a call today. We’ll be more than happy to help. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Changing your Android smartphone’s location settings
Location services or location tracking is a handy feature in your Android smartphone. Enabling it has some benefits; for instance, it makes it convenient for you to find the nearest gas station using Google Maps, allow navigation apps like Waze to calculate routes between destinations, or check in at places on Facebook. But while convenient, there are some risks in allowing the apps on your phone to track your every move. Here’s how you can change the location settings on your Android phone. Photos and GPS tagging Your Android smartphone’s geolocation or GPS tagging function lets you attach coordinates to the pictures you take. This allows you to organize photos in albums by location. Geolocating images in itself isn’t a bad thing, but you can get into trouble when you broadcast sensitive locations to the world. For instance, a picture of your expensive watch with a GPS tag of your house could attract wrongdoers. Here are four ways to control geotagging photos: Go to your camera settings and you’ll find an on/off toggle. Go to Settings > Location and from there, you can decide if you want the location saved along with your images. Download an EXIF editor and manually remove the location information from specific images. You can also turn off location services altogether by going to Settings > Location. Discrete location settings Apart from location settings in photos and GPS tagging, Android has three discrete location settings that allow you to set the level of accuracy of your location reporting. You can find these in Settings > Location. High accuracy – This uses the GPS radio in your phone to pinpoint its exact location using data from satellites while also making use of nearby Wi-Fi and cellular networks. Battery saving – This mode only uses Wi-Fi networks and mobile networks to identify locations. While it might not be as accurate as the high accuracy setting, it will help your battery last longer. Device sensors only – This uses only the GPS radio to find you. It may take a little more time to find your location since it doesn’t use nearby Wi-Fi and mobile networks to get your general location first. This also uses more battery power. Turning off your location settings will not only help keep your smartphone’s security intact, but it will also help preserve your battery life. Are you interested in learning more about Android phones and their functions? We have solutions for you and your business. Call our experts today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Get better sleep with these Android tablet pointers
Sleep is a must for business owners. You need a good night’s rest for you to efficiently run your business. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can keep you up at night, including the very tools you use for business such as your Android tablet. Here’s how your tablet can disrupt your sleep as well as tips to help you get some decent shut-eye. Don’t use your devices before bed It’s been widely recognized that blue light from screens and mobile devices can disrupt sleep, suppressing your body’s levels of melatonin (the hormone that induces sleep). Because of this and the distractions your tablet brings, it’s best to avoid using it half an hour before bed. Silence distractions with Google Chrome’s Reader Mode If you just can’t put down your device before bed, some light reading can be an effective way to induce sleep. However, when you’re browsing the internet, you can often run into ads and videos that are sometimes loud and flashy. Just as you’re nodding off, these distractions could startle you awake and out of slumber mode. Google Chrome’s Reader Mode eliminates unnecessary ads and images, placing an emphasis on the text. To activate Reader Mode, type “chrome://flags” into your navigation bar, scroll down till you find Enable Reader Mode and select Enabled on the drop down menu. Then, press Relaunch on the bottom of the screen to restart Google Chrome. Web pages you visit should now be reader-friendly and free of ads. Prevent disturbances If you let emails, calls, and text messages wake you up in the middle of the night, you won’t get enough sleep. Enter the Do Not Disturb setting. This will silence all of these nightly annoyances so you can unplug from the world and get a good night’s rest. To turn on Do Not Disturb, open Settings > Sound and Notification > Do Not Disturb. From here, you can choose which contacts can get through to you while you’re in deep slumber. Dim your device While some Android tablets don’t have a built-in feature to adjust the amount of blue light emitted, there are apps that can help you easily adjust the filter opacity, making your screen less bright, such as Dimly. Monitor your sleeping habits Do you constantly wake up at night for no reason at all? Are you sleeping better or worse on nights when you consume certain food or alcoholic beverages? Or do you sleep better on the days you exercise? If you’re unsure of the answers to these questions, there are apps that can help you. Apps like Sleep as Android and Sleep Cycle use motion sensors and sound recording will monitor your sleeping habits to help you discover which nights you sleep best. Then you can try to recreate those conditions to resolve your sleep issues. No matter your business, sleep is vital to your success. If you want to learn more about how your Android tablet can improve your life and business, give us a call. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
What is MTD, and how can it improve mobile security?
Protecting your business data goes beyond securing your office computers and networks. Especially now that implementing remote and hybrid work environments is critical to business survival, you need to put up digital barriers around your company’s mobile devices to block malware and other threats. Here’s how to do just that with mobile threat detection (MTD) tools. MTD and malware detection Mobile threat detection solutions prevent network-based attacks and malware infections on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Since most malware programs are cleverly disguised as legitimate apps, the key to finding and defending against them is to recognize irregular patterns in user behavior and device function — something that MTD tools excel at. When applied to business networks, MTD solutions can monitor network traffic for suspicious activity, such as invalid or spoofed certificates, in order to stop man-in-the-middle attacks. This enables them to respond to threats in real time while providing insight on the risk level of all devices connected to the network. MTD and machine learning All MTD tools are supported by a machine learning mechanism, which allows them to recognize usage patterns and flag any behavioral outliers. MTD solutions are also very scalable, and they are able to monitor dozens of Android mobile devices simultaneously. When one of these devices starts functioning in a way that deviates from the rest, machine learning helps the MTD tool log the anomaly and notify IT administrators. Implementing an MTD solution Integrating an MTD solution into your mobile security strategy requires a thorough evaluation of various critical factors, including industry regulations and the sensitivity of the data stored and/or exchanged on your mobile devices. Ideally, your MTD solution should be part of a larger security strategy that allows you to block harmful network traffic and strengthen the business’s overall cybersecurity posture. Developing strong defenses for mobile devices is fast becoming a critical component in many businesses’ cybersecurity strategies. And although mobile threat detection remains an imperfect means to detect malware, it is far more powerful than traditional anti-malware solutions. Other benefits of using MTD tools Rolling out an MTD solution comes with several benefits essential to today’s remote or hybrid work environments. For one, it gives a company confidence in implementing a bring your own device policy. Not only is an MTD solution able to thwart cyberattacks before they become serious problems, it also gives IT administrators critical visibility into the risk level of the company’s mobile workforce. What’s more, deploying MTD solutions makes regulatory compliance a breeze, as it ensures that the organization’s sensitive data is safe regardless of where it’s stored. Businesses like yours need comprehensive security solutions to fend off cyberattacks, whether on your PCs, laptops, or smartphones. For expert IT security recommendations, call our experts today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Reduce data usage on your Android device with these tips
Heavy mobile data consumption can cause serious problems, such as slower connection speeds and a decreased battery life. It can also lead you to incur data overage fees when you use more data than what’s included in your plan. Here are some tips to help you use less data on your Android device. Delete data-draining apps Apps that constantly consume your mobile data, such as Facebook, Google Maps, and YouTube, can accelerate hardware and battery life deterioration as well as lower the device’s efficiency. If you have data-draining apps, consider removing them from your device to lower your monthly data usage. To identify such apps, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet > App data usage. From there, you can see which apps are consuming the most data, and you can delete the worst offenders. Restrict background data Background data is a feature that allows apps to provide real-time updates by using data connection even when the app isn’t actively in use or the phone is locked. It is also one surefire way to burn through a significant chunk of your monthly data plan. To prevent background data from constantly updating, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet. Then, select App data usage to see your top data-draining apps. Tap on an app to show its settings, and toggle the button under “Background data” to Off. Use data saver mode To ensure that you’re not using too much data on your data plan, check and change your data usage setting. All you have to do is go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet > Data Saver. When you turn Data Saver on, some apps are prevented from sending or receiving data in the background. While any app you currently use can still download data, it will do so less frequently. For instance, images on a web page won’t display until you tap them. Beware of auto-updates Software updates can require hundreds of megabytes of data, so it’s better to update your apps over Wi-Fi than through your data connection. You may not even realize updates are happening if you have the auto-update setting enabled. Turn it off by opening the Google Play Store and tapping the three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner. Go to Settings > Auto-update apps > Over Wi-Fi only. Take your apps offline Some apps include an offline access option. For example, Google Docs lets you choose the documents you’d like to access while disconnected from the internet. This allows you to save your work offline and only update its online version once you are connected to the internet. Check regularly for offline access options and enable them whenever possible. These are some quick and easy tips for IT novices, but if you’re on the hunt for expert solutions and support for Android devices, get in touch with our team today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
5 Reasons to sync your Android device with Google Chrome
Many people use at least two devices for work, usually switching between a computer and a smartphone or tablet. Google Chrome makes it easy for users to jump from one device to another and pick up where they left off using its sync-up feature for Android devices. Learn more about the benefits of syncing Android devices with Chrome. View recently opened tabs on your Android device This is especially useful when you need to bring your work outside of the office. Here’s how to do it: Open the Chrome app on your Android device. Tap the three-dotted menu icon on the upper-right corner. Tap Recent tabs. You’ll see all the tabs you’ve opened recently while logged into your Google account regardless of device. Use your Android device to access your computer For this to work, you need to install the Chrome Remote Desktop app from the Google Play Store on your Android device and the Chrome Remote Desktop extension app on your computer. This will work regardless if your computer runs on Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, or Linux. Each device you want to connect must have Chrome installed, and each Chrome browser must be signed into the same account. With everything in place, you can remotely control a system that’s turned on, such as your desktop, via your phone. You can move around your desktop, open and edit files, and run programs from your mobile. You could also allow one-time access to give or receive remote support. Set reminders via Google Assistant or Google Keep You can use voice commands on your Android phone to set reminders. Simply say “OK Google” or “Hey Google,” or press the mic icon to activate Google Assistant, then say “Remind me to buy milk at the grocery store” or whatever it is you want to be reminded of. Once the “Add a reminder” screen appears, you can edit reminder details, such as when and where you want to be alerted. For instance, you may want your device to remind you of your grocery list when you enter a grocery store. Alternatively, you can install the Google Keep extension app in Chrome or the Google Keep app on your Android. To do this, open the app, click the “Take a note” field, type in your reminder, and click the “Remind me” icon. Then click on either Pick date & time (to set when you want to be reminded) or Pick place (to set where you want to be notified). As long as you have syncing turned on for your Google account, you can use Google Calendar, Google Assistant, or Google Keep on one device to set and get reminders across all your devices. Send directions from your computer to your Android device To send driving, walking, or commuting directions from your PC to your Android phone or tablet, do the following: Click on a specific location on Google Maps, or enter a location in the search field and click on the desired result. Click on the “Send to your phone” button in the pane on the left side of your screen. Choose to have the directions sent to your mobile device via text or email. Find your lost phone As long as the Wi-Fi or data on your smartphone is turned on, you can find the device by entering “find my phone” in the Google search bar, which will then display the phone’s current or last known location. Click on that to bring up the Android Device Manager interface, from which you can lock or wipe your phone. On top of that, you can also use the Device Manager to ring your device for five minutes — even if it’s set to silent — in the hopes that a kind soul answers it and tells you where you can get your phone back. Having access to Google Chrome across all your devices boosts your productivity and efficiency. If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of Chrome and your Android device, contact our experts today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Useful accessories for Android devices
Android devices are known for their versatility, a quality that’s made possible not just by the sheer variety of applications they support, but also by the many accessories you can use with them. Knowing what these accessories can do will help you get more out of your Android device. Protective cases No matter how careful you are with your Android device, there’s always a chance you can accidentally drop it. If your device’s display is shattered or the underlying hardware is damaged in any way, you could end up paying expensive repair fees. Purchasing a protective case or cover ensures your device stays in good condition — and they’re relatively inexpensive, too. There are various options for cases. For starters, there are ultra-thin cases that are lightweight and feature stylish designs, but they may not be the most protective option. Those who work in harsh environments may prefer rugged cases, which can survive frequent drops and other heavy-duty use cases. Finally, for employees who work on the go often, wallet-style cases provide a built-in screen protector and extra compartments to hold your cards, cash, and ID. Screen protectors As their name suggests, screen protectors protect your device’s display from nicks, scratches, and cracks. Tempered glass screen protectors are the best option for your Android displays, as they’re much thicker and thereby better at securing your device if it falls. Good quality tempered glass also has great touch response and doesn’t affect the viewing experience at all. Keyboards Touchscreen keyboards on your Android phone or tablet may not always be optimal for heavy business-type work like spreadsheet editing, word processing, and more. Fortunately, if you prefer a more tactile typing experience, Android devices let you connect portable keyboards via a micro-USB adapter or Bluetooth. To sync a Bluetooth keyboard to your device, simply go to Settings menu, enable the Bluetooth option, select Search for devices, and select the keyboard you wish to pair. There are many wireless keyboards compatible with Android, but we recommend models from name brand companies like Logitech, Microsoft, and even Apple. Mice Using Bluetooth mice will allow you to transform your Android tablet into a more traditional, yet compact laptop replacement. This is particularly helpful if you need mouse navigation for certain workloads like text editing. Similar to keyboards, you’ll want to select trustworthy mouse brands for ergonomics, reliability, and quality. Phone holders If your work often requires you to drive to different locations, consider installing a phone holder on your dashboard or windshield. With this setup, you can view GPS apps on your Android phone, answer emergency calls, and use voice commands completely hands-free. Some phone holders even have wireless charging built-in, so your device can stay topped up for however long you need on the road. MicroSD cards MicroSD cards allow you to increase your Android device’s available storage space. This gives you much more room for saving high-resolution videos, images, and other files. Plus, having access to locally saved files is great for areas with unreliable connections to your cloud storage platform. When selecting microSD cards, pay attention to storage capacity and speed — usually displayed in classes like 4, 6, and 10. Class 10 microSD cards have a minimum write speed of 10 MB/s and are ideal for most situations. As for the storage capacity, there are 32 GB to 1TB microSD cards available, and the one you choose will largely depend on your budget. Portable charger Even though most Android devices can make it through a day on a single charge, having too many resource-intensive apps open can quickly drain power. In these cases, having a portable charger can be a lifesaver. Keep in mind that not all portable chargers are built the same. You want to make sure they support the fast charging standards of your device, offer at least 10,000 mAh of capacity, and use the type of USB ports compatible with your device. There are so many ways to extend the functionality of and enhance your Android device. If you have any questions about Android or are looking to integrate it into your business, give us a call and we’ll be happy to advise you. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
How to transfer data from Android via USB cable
You can use Wi-Fi to transfer files between your Android phone and your PC or Mac, but it’s useless if your internet connection is unavailable or unstable. Thankfully, there’s another option: your trusty USB cable. Read on to find out how to use it to move files between devices without a hitch. To start, you’ll need the following: Your Android phone A computer with a USB Type A or C port A USB cable On Windows Unlock your phone. Plug it into your computer’s USB port using a cable. Your Android phone will display a “Charging this device via USB” notification. Tap on it. Tapping on the notification will display other options. Select File Transfer under “Use USB for.” Your computer will show a file transfer window. Drag and drop files from this window to your preferred location on your computer. Once you’re done, unplug your USB cable from the computer. On Mac Transferring files from an Android device to a Mac is pretty much the same process as that for Android to Windows file transfers, but with a few additional steps: Download and install Android File Transfer on your computer. Take note that this app only works on Macs running on macOS 10.7 or later. Open the Android File Transfer app. You need to open it the first time you use it, but the next time you plug in your device, it will automatically open. Unlock your Android app and connect it to your Mac using your USB cable. On your phone, tap on the notification that says “Charging this device via USB.” Your phone will then display other USB options for your device. Under “Use USB for,” choose File Transfer. This will prompt your computer to display an Android File Transfer window. Drag and drop files from this window to your preferred location on your computer. After backing up your data, eject your USB by right-clicking the icon for the external device on your desktop and selecting “Eject [volume name].” Alternatively, you can drag the external volume icon into the trash can in the Dock. Unplug your USB cable. Transferring files from one device to another is easy, isn’t it? But data backup is more than just copying and moving files. If you want to learn more about making your business devices and computers disaster-proof, our dedicated IT experts can help you perform routine backups that go beyond drag-and-drop. With their knowledge in security, data recovery, and business continuity, you never have to worry about losing your data again. Call us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
How to protect your Android device from ransomware
Over the past few years, ransomware has become increasingly widespread and sophisticated. This form of malware has even spread to Android smartphones and tablets, putting organizations that rely on mobile devices at risk of data loss and other productivity-crippling problems. Read on to learn how mobile ransomware works and how you can safeguard your Android devices as well as your business against this threat. How does mobile ransomware work? Android users may unwittingly download mobile apps riddled with ransomware from third-party app stores or even legitimate ones such as Google Play Store. Once these apps are installed, the ransomware is launched, locking the device and encrypting the data it contains. The victim may see a ransom note on the screen demanding payment in Bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency in exchange for unlocking the device or the decryption key. One specific ransomware strain detected in late 2020 locks a mobile device’s screen and prevents the user from dismissing the ransom note, which looks like a message from the police. The note tells the user that they committed a crime and must pay a fine — a technique that cybercriminals have been using to make their victims panic, making the latter more likely to pay up. What should you do if your Android device is infected? Just as with ransomware that affects computers, there’s no guarantee that paying the ransom will restore access to the device and/or encrypted data. This is why cybersecurity and law enforcement professionals advise against giving in to cybercriminals’ demands. Instead, they recommend that you immediately disconnect the infected smartphone or tablet from your business’s Wi-Fi or home network and other devices it’s connected to. This will prevent further infections within your network. Next, report the incident to your in-house IT staff or managed services provider, who can help you find out what type of ransomware you’re dealing with. They can then figure out the best way to remove the ransomware and help you regain control of your device and everything in it. How do you protect your business from mobile ransomware? Remind your employees to download from official app stores only; they should never download from third-party app stores and websites, as well as online forums. Additionally, make sure they turn on Google’s security system, Verify Apps, which scans apps for potential threats before these can be installed. They can do this on their Android devices by going to Settings > Security > Verify Apps, and enabling “Scan device for security threats.” Also, ensure that all your employees’ mobile devices have antivirus software installed on them, and that it’s always kept up to date. Finally, back up important files on mobile devices to either a USB drive, a computer, or any cloud-based storage service. This way, your staff won’t lose valuable data if they need to reset their smartphone or tablet. For more advice on how to protect your business from mobile ransomware and other cyberthreats, get in touch with our experts today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
How to keep your Android device protected
As of January 2021, Android is the leading mobile operating system in the market with a 71.9% market share. This is why Android devices are a prime target for cyberthreats and why Android users face a multitude of potential attacks. Fortunately, you can protect your Android device from attacks by following the tips in this guide. You don’t have to purchase expensive software to safeguard your device; most of the best protection against common Android threats is available for free. Here are inexpensive ways to secure your Android devices. Buy devices from vendors that release Android patches quickly Beware of handset makers that don’t immediately release Android patches. If you subscribe to a vendor that delays the release of such patches, your device will be vulnerable for a longer time to security threats like bugs and will have a higher risk of getting compromised. Always keep your apps updated Apps release updates from time to time. These updates improve security, add new features, and/or remove outdated ones. To install updates as soon as they’re released, you can choose to update Android apps automatically by following these instructions: Open the Google Play Store app. Go to Menu > Settings. Tap Auto-update apps. You can then select whether to update apps using Wi-Fi or mobile data. Lock your device Keeping your devices locked provides an extra layer of protection, as unlocking them requires entering a unique key such as a passcode or a pattern, or using your phone or tablet’s facial recognition feature The simplest way to lock your device is by using a personal identification number (PIN); however, make sure that you use a hard-to-guess but easy-to-remember combination. If you have a newer Android device, you can use fingerprint or face recognition technology to better ensure that only authorized people can access your device. Download apps only from the Google Play Store Google Play is the safest place to download apps for your Android device. Third-party sites may offer an interesting lineup of apps, but their software can contain malicious codes. Sometimes, though, bogus apps make it to the Google Play Store, so always read reviews before downloading apps to ensure their legitimacy. Use Google Play Protect Google Protect is a built-in malware scanner that monitors apps in the Google Play Store and on your device. It also runs a safety check on any app from the Google Play Store before you download it. Google Protect is turned on by default, but you can switch it off or on again by opening the Google Play Store app on your Android device and going to Menu > Settings > Scan apps with Play Protect. Use on-device encryption Every Android device running on Android 2.3 and above has an encryption feature that can render all your data unreadable to unauthorized entities until they provide the correct PIN or passcode. Whatever Android version your device is running, you can generally find encryption settings by going to Settings > Personal > Security. Use a virtual private network (VPN) When you’re connected to public Wi-Fi, there’s always a possibility that someone will intercept your data. Using a VPN encrypts your information so that even if someone steals your data, it will be completely unreadable and useless to them. There are numerous free VPNs on the Google Play Store. Compare their rankings and reviews before choosing one. Protect your Google account with two-factor authentication (2FA) Aside from protecting your Android device, you must also protect your Google account, which you can do using various methods, such as enabling 2FA. Just log in to your Google account, go to Security > 2-Step Verification > Get Started, then follow the succeeding prompts. You can choose to receive the verification codes on your phone via SMS or voice. Keep an eye on your devices Thieves are always on the lookout for potential victims. Treat your device as you would your cash, jewelry, and other valuables. Also, avoid using your device in areas with high crime rates to avoid attracting attention and getting robbed. Keep these tips in mind to safeguard your phone or tablet from physical and digital risks. If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions about your Android device, call us now. Our experts are here to help. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.