Some security suggestions for your (Android) phone
- PRISM BREAK.)
- Regularly back up data that is only present on your phone.
- Alternatively, put data in the cloud,
e.g. use Google Calendar and
Google Contacts.
- But beware of the limitations of the cloud
(in the end, you are not in control of the cloud; if it is gone, it is gone)
- Set a PIN on your SIM card.
- This will make it harder for others to (ab)use your SIM card.
- Set a security code/pattern to access your phone.
- N.B. This is not the same as a PIN on your SIM card.
- Keep the screen clean after use.
- Otherwise, the security code/pattern will be easier
to deduce from the smudges.
- Alternatively,
also touch/swipe the screen in patterns
other than your security code/pattern
to mask the correct code/pattern.
- Set owner info to display on the lock screen.
- In that info, include alternative ways to contact you,
such as, email address, home address, home phone.
- Otherwise, if you lose your phone a (hopefully honest) finder
has no clue what to do
(because you blocked access to your phone, didn't you?).
- Activate 2-step verification for your Google account.
- Reduces the possibilities of losing control over your Google account.
- Do you understand the risks you run
when someone 'hacks' your Google account?
- Use Shush to silence your phone temporarily.
- Otherwise, whenever you mute your phone and lose it
(this happens, trust me),
no one (including you) can hear it ring or receive messages.
- With Shush, the muting is undone automatically after the set expiry time.
- Free download
- Install and activate the Android Device Manager app.
- Free download
- You must activate it (see Help)
- Can remotely locate the device
- Can remotely ring (at full volume), even when it was muted
- Can remotely lock the device
- Can remotely wipe the device
- Operate from Android Device Manger website
-
[NO LONGER SUPPORTED]
Install and activate Track & Protect app. (I'm not sure it is still actively supported.)
- Free download
- You need to buy "credits" to have full protection.
- Buy credits before you lose your phone.
- Remote operation of phone is by encrypted SMS,
so it does not need internet access for that.
- Operate from the Track & Protect website
- Install and configure Big Brother GPS.
- Free download
- You need the ability (and skill) to configure a web server.
See e.g.
my server setup instructions.
- This way, your phone will regularly (you choose the frequency)
report its position to your server.
- Your phone needs internet access.
- Alternatively,
use Google Lattitude,
and activate the Google Location History feature.
- [IN DUTCH] Digitale zelfverdedigingsgids