There are a few measures that can be taken to reduce the risks:

– Backup your data on a regular basis either on external devices or by using secure online services.
– Do not click on suspicious links contained in spam emails.
– Never input your username and password on fake apps and links.
– Download apps from trusted sources on the app store.
– Avoid connecting to unsecured WI-FI networks.
– Stop saving your passwords on notes and memo apps (read more).
– Use Anti-virus programs on your desktop and mobile devices.

On mobile, Android devices are at a higher risk of getting infected by malicious software than their iOS counterparts. This week we are featuring AVG, an Antivirus program for Android with multiple security features.

AVG Antivirus for Android:

AVG Antivirus is a highly rated cyber protection app with over 100 million downloads on the Play Store. it offers a free one-month trial of their app which enables all of the Pro versions features, this way you will have enough time to decide if the tool is good for you before making any purchases. AVG helps protect your device from harmful viruses, malware, spyware, and scamware. It scans settings, apps, and games and warns you about security risks.

In addition to the antivirus it comes with a few additional helpful features:

Camera Trap for failed password attempts:

Camera Trap takes a secret picture and emails it to you if someone tries to access your phone three times and fails.

Protection from ARP poisoning attempts:

If you click on a link from a known source, it can often be difficult to identify when you were redirected to a scam site. This feature can identify and protect you from ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) poisoning so your trusted links remain trusted and avoid being redirected to a dangerous URL.

Vault storage for private photos:

One of the disadvantages of Android is showing all pictures on your device in the photo gallery, even if you put them in separate folders. Vault gives you the ability to put your private pictures in a protected folder.

Device Lock:

This feature locks your device if anyone takes your phone and replaces the SIM card.

Battery and Performance Optimizer:

Monitor battery consumption and enable power saving and Kills tasks and processes that can slow down your phone.

The post Featured App: AVG Antivirus Protection for Android appeared first on Techie Dad - Creative Technologist.

Devices running on Android 4 (Jelly bean, KitKat) or Android 5 (Lollipop) could potentially be infected. Gooligan is traced to many apps downloaded on third-party android stores. Many people use these App stores because most apps are free, but on the other hand most of the apps are not verified with low security measures.

If your account is infected, a clean installation of your operating system is required (Flashing) as well as changing your Google password.

You can check if your account is breached here:

You can read more about it on the Check Point website

The post Android Malware Alert: Your Google Account May Be Breached appeared first on Techie Dad - Creative Technologist.

Passwords should never be stored on notes and memo apps but rather on specialized secure softwares.

I’ve seen so many crazy homemade recipes for storing and hiding passwords, these old school methods used to work in the early computer days but don’t do the trick anymore.

Till date, many people still store their pin numbers on their address book under a specific John Doe name, others organize them on an excel sheet, some write their passwords on an internal page of a book, but the vast majority simply keep all their passwords unprotected in the native Memo / Notes app on their mobile devices.

I know that people prefer free apps, but if there is something worth your money, that would be your security.

1- CREATE A STRONG PASSWORD:

Before even starting with a software, you need to make sure that the passwords you create are strong and hard to guess.

Here’s a list of things to keep in mind when creating a password:

• Stop using 123456” or “password” as your password.
• Don’t use your name, names of your family members or birthdays
• Passwords should be at least 8-10 digits long using lowercase, uppercase and numbers together. example: Tyi8r32wQ$#@s
• Don’t use the same password across your different accounts
• Use random passwords generated by your password managers
• Use 2 step password protection when available
• Update and change your password regularly

2- USE A PASSWORD MANAGER SOLUTION

Here are 3 of the Best Password Manager Apps:

1Password

Personally, I think that 1Password is the best solution out there. I have been using it for a while now after trying so many other apps, it works across all platforms, synchronizes via cloud or wifi. You have the ability to create family, team or business plans and share specific lists and passwords with users.

LastPass

Lastpass was one of the pioneer password manager solutions, it was a popular online solution via a web browser extension. It now supports all desktop and mobile platforms as well as has plugins extensions to most available browsers.

Dashlane:

Dashlane has the coolest UX and is the easiest to use. You have the ability to share passwords with emergency contacts, you can automatically change a password on all your sites, It has an effective security breach alert that notifies you if any of your accounts may be compromised.

3- CHOOSE THE PAYMENT MODEL THAT FITS YOUR NEEDS:
All of the above solutions have a free trial period with limited functionalities. Premium can be unlocked to access advanced features for a monthly subscription fee varying between $3-$5 or a fixed yearly fee of around $40

One thing to keep in mind:
Even if you have the best solution to remember all your passwords. There is one password you will need to memorize by heart and never forget, it is that one single password that rules them all. The password to unlock the app itself.

The post Stop Saving Your Passwords on Notes and Memo Apps! appeared first on Techie Dad - Creative Technologist.