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How to rid your Android devices of malwareAs much as Google tries to keep their products safe and secure, they’re not immune to malware. If a malicious software infiltrates your Android operating system, it can compromise the sensitive information contained in your device. Here are a few tips on how to detect and remove malware from your Android device. Confirm the malware […]

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How to rid your Android devices of malware

As much as Google tries to keep their products safe and secure, they’re not immune to malware. If a malicious software infiltrates your Android operating system, it can compromise the sensitive information contained in your device. Here are a few tips on how to detect and remove malware from your Android device.

Confirm the malware infection

Android devices usually exhibit strange behavior when they’re infected with malware. Their speed may suddenly slow to a crawl or the battery may drain faster than expected. Other telltale signs include an abundance of pop-up ads, unusual apps installed on your home screen, unexplained data usage, and unauthorized in-app purchases.

However, it’s not always easy to tell if your device has been compromised since hackers are becoming more proficient at concealing their actions. The best way to check for malware is to run an antivirus scan using a mobile security solution.

How to get rid of malware

If your device is infected with malware, the most important thing to do is quarantine the threat as soon as possible. Start by rebooting your device in safe mode, which can be selected when you hold down the power button. Not all versions of Android are the same though, so if this isn’t an option, try restarting your device and holding the volume-down button when the manufacturer’s logo appears.

Once you’ve entered safe mode, go to Settings, then Apps, and uninstall any suspicious apps. Do a quick Google search or ask your cybersecurity technician to help you determine whether or not an app is dangerous.

If you can’t uninstall the software, it may have administrative privileges. To fix this, open the Advanced settings menu from the Settings app, then select Security, then Device administrators, remove any app that shouldn’t have privileged access, and return to the Apps menu to uninstall it. Mobile security software should also be able to remove hidden malicious programs in your device.

If the malware persists, you’ll have to do a factory reset. This option is usually located in the Backup & reset configurations within the Advanced settings menu. Keep in mind that you’ll lose the apps and files stored in your device, so it’s important to back up your data beforehand.

Protecting your device from malware

After you’ve successfully recovered from a mobile malware infection, make sure to update your device and security software to prevent another infection. Enabling Google Play Protect from within the app store also safeguards your device from rogue apps.

Ultimately, the best defense is to develop good security habits. Be cautious of everything you see online. Make sure to thoroughly vet apps before downloading them, and don’t click on links from unsolicited texts and emails. Also, avoid public Wi-Fi networks or, at the very least, use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure the connection.

Malware attacks can be devastating to your bottom line, but these tips should help mitigate the risks. If you want to learn more about how you can safeguard your Android devices, our experts are always willing to assist you. Contact us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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The benefits of syncing your Android phone with Google ChromeMost people nowadays swap between their computer and their smartphone for their productivity needs — from work to passion projects to simply running their daily lives. It’s simpler than ever to do so, thanks to Google Chrome’s sync-up features for Android phones. Send directions from your laptop to your Android phone While Google Maps works […]

The post The benefits of syncing your Android phone with Google Chrome appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

The benefits of syncing your Android phone with Google Chrome

Most people nowadays swap between their computer and their smartphone for their productivity needs — from work to passion projects to simply running their daily lives. It’s simpler than ever to do so, thanks to Google Chrome’s sync-up features for Android phones.

Send directions from your laptop to your Android phone

While Google Maps works great on smartphones, it’s often easier to use on larger screens. To send driving, walking, or commuting directions from your PC to your Android phone, do the following:

  1. Click on a specific location on Google Maps, or enter a location in the search field and click on the desired result.
  2. Click on the “Send to your phone” button in the pane on the left side of your screen.
  3. Choose to have the directions sent to your phone via text or email.

Sync your computer’s Chrome tabs with your phone

This is especially useful when you need to bring your work outside of the office. Here’s all you need to do:

  1. Open the Chrome App on your Android phone.
  2. Tap the three-dotted menu icon beside the search field.
  3. If you’re not using multiple Google accounts, go straight to Step 4. Otherwise, tap Settings > your user icon > Sync > Sync to > your desired Google account, then press the back button until you see the three-dotted menu icon. Press it once more.
  4. Tap Recent tabs. You’ll see all the tabs you’ve opened recently while logged into a particular Google account regardless of device.

Find your lost mobile device

Simply entering “find my phone” in the Google search bar will display the current or last known location of your phone. On top of that, you can also 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.

Use your phone to control your computer

For this trick, start by installing the Chrome Remote Desktop app from the Google Play Store on your Android phone and the Chrome Remote Desktop extension app for Chrome on your computer, regardless if it’s running on ChromeOS, 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 switched on, such as your desktop, via your phone or Chromebook, or 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. Say “OK 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 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. Simply open the app, click the Take a note field, type in your reminder, 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 unleash reminders across all your devices. Syncing lets you make the most of your devices giving you the illusion that you’re using one machine. For any questions regarding Android/Chrome pairing, feel free to give us a call anytime!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Researchers uncover new strain of Android malwareThe Android operating system (OS) relies on an open-source code that allows users and manufacturers to modify their phones’ or tablets’ OSs. The problem is, Android’s open-sourced nature also makes it susceptible to cyberthreats. Recently, security experts found DEFENSOR ID — a new type of Android malware exploiting the system's Accessibility Services. What is DEFENSOR […]

The post Researchers uncover new strain of Android malware appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Researchers uncover new strain of Android malware

The Android operating system (OS) relies on an open-source code that allows users and manufacturers to modify their phones’ or tablets’ OSs. The problem is, Android’s open-sourced nature also makes it susceptible to cyberthreats. Recently, security experts found DEFENSOR ID — a new type of Android malware exploiting the system's Accessibility Services.

What is DEFENSOR ID?

DEFENSOR ID is a banking Trojan that minimizes its malicious capabilities to sneak past security checks and infiltrate the Google Play Store. The malware’s primary function is to request access to an Android device’s Accessibility Service, which would allow hackers to execute a variety of commands.

For starters, if unwitting users grant access to DEFENSOR ID, the malware can observe any launched apps and send sensitive information back to hackers. This means hackers can steal anything from passwords and private emails to banking information and one-time SMS activation codes for two-step verification processes.

DEFENSOR ID also allows hackers to remotely uninstall apps, launch programs, and perform gestures (e.g., tap, swipe, click) within the launched program. In theory, this feature can enable hackers to empty a victim’s bank account with minimal effort.

What’s more, the Trojan extends the lock screen timeout to 10 minutes so that cybercriminals have enough time to perform their malicious operations.

Beware of apps leveraging Accessibility Services

According to researchers, DEFENSOR ID targeted Brazilian users and was downloaded over a dozen times. But despite its small success rate, it’s possible that more malware will leverage these techniques to steal sensitive information and control user devices. In fact, earlier in 2020, McAfee researchers discovered Android/LeifAccess malware that exploited Accessibility Services to leave fake reviews on the Google Play Store.

Plus, a common Android issue is that many independent software developers can upload their apps to the Google Play Store and easily circumvent security checks. So, if users aren’t thoroughly vetting the apps they download onto their devices, attacks similar to DEFENSOR ID will become more widespread.

Malware that can abuse Accessibility Services may even give rise to more deceptive online scams or massive-scale data breaches that can shut down businesses.

How to defend against DEFENSOR ID

Developing a healthy skepticism of apps in the Google Play Store is the best way to prevent malware attacks like DEFENSOR ID. This involves training your staff to get in the habit of evaluating an app before downloading it. More specifically, they should be verifying whether user reviews seem authentic, checking the total ratings and downloads, and consulting with security experts whether an app is safe.

Businesses should also use endpoint security software to control what apps users can install on their company-registered devices. By limiting downloads to a few, fully verified apps, you can minimize your company’s exposure to mobile malware.

If you want to keep your business safe from malware and other cyberthreats, it’s in your best interest to call cybersecurity experts like us. Not only do we provide top-notch security solutions, but we also offer proactive maintenance services to protect your IT at all times.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Are you tracking your Android’s data use?If you’re frustrated that you still have to deal with mobile data limitations in 2020, so are we. Sure, there are service plans that offer unlimited data, but they’re often expensive and throttle internet speeds after a certain threshold. Check out these tips for monitoring your mobile data usage so you can stretch it further. […]

The post Are you tracking your Android’s data use? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Are you tracking your Android’s data use?

If you’re frustrated that you still have to deal with mobile data limitations in 2020, so are we. Sure, there are service plans that offer unlimited data, but they’re often expensive and throttle internet speeds after a certain threshold. Check out these tips for monitoring your mobile data usage so you can stretch it further.

Here are three things you can do to track and subsequently optimize the amount of data you are using on your Android device.

Tip #1: Turn off or limit your mobile data consumption

Using Wi-Fi is one of the easiest ways to reduce data consumption. These networks are everywhere nowadays, even malls and shopping centers often offer free Wi-Fi. In fact, Android devices can automatically switch between Wi-Fi and cellular connections. There is a chance, though, that your phone may lose a Wi-Fi connection and switch to a data network without your knowledge.

Preempt this issue by disabling mobile data entirely. You can often accomplish this by pressing your finger along the top of the screen and dragging downward to reveal important phone settings, including enabling or disabling mobile data.

Another option is to open your Android’s Settings app and search for the menu that contains your mobile data configurations. From there, you can turn off data entirely or set data limitations based on your service plan’s allowance.

Tip #2: Limit background data

Even if you don’t realize it, many of your apps use data while your Android device is locked. They keep running in the background and their data usage can take significant chunks out of your monthly allowance. To limit the use of background data, follow these steps:

  1. Open your Android’s Settings app.
  2. Select the Apps menu (the name varies based on the device manufacturer; look for the menu that lists all your apps).
  3. Tap on an app that you don’t want to use background data.
  4. Select Restrict app background data.

The Apps menu provides plenty of information about how much data various apps are using, both in the foreground and background. Even if you don’t use this menu to configure background data allowances, it’s a great place to learn about data hogs.

Tip #3: Use Chrome’s data compression

All Android devices have the Google Chrome web browser installed right out of the box. Before you consider trying another browser, keep in mind that Chrome has some of the best data-saving features. For example, when data compression is enabled, the websites you visit are sent to Google’s servers to ensure they are optimized for mobile devices and unnecessary information is removed.

To turn this feature on, take these steps:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap the button with three dots in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Settings > Data Saver.
  4. Toggle the On switch.

Google claims this can save up to 60% of data usage in the browser and that it detects malicious websites and harmful content.

There are dozens of other ways you can protect yourself and save data when using your Android device. If you’d like additional assistance, contact us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Are you tracking your Android’s data use? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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