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Ask HN: How can I best secure an Android phone?

7 pointsby whitepoplaralmost 4 years ago
I&#x27;m a long-time iPhone user who has recently been using a Pixel 4a. I&#x27;ve always appreciated that iPhones are &quot;secure by default&quot; (more or less) and I want to replicate that, if possible, on Android. Are there any defaults that I must change, or any dumb settings that put one at risk? I&#x27;m having trouble finding up-to-date Android security recommendations from competent sources, that are not just security theater...<p>Thanks!

4 comments

jkonlinealmost 4 years ago
I concur with @Dah00n, it really depends on your definition of security.<p>Another great security-focused distro is grapheneOS[1^] and HowToGeek has a good rundown[2^] of some fundamental security configurations (albeit a bit dated).<p>(For comparison, I personally don&#x27;t feel that &quot;Only use Google devices&quot; is security-forward. Quite the opposite IMHO).<p>Then again, if an iPhone is something you consider more or less secure by default, then the above probably does indeed cut the mustard.<p>[1]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;grapheneos.org&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;grapheneos.org&#x2F;</a><p>[2]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.howtogeek.com&#x2F;366653&#x2F;how-to-make-android-as-secure-as-possible&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.howtogeek.com&#x2F;366653&#x2F;how-to-make-android-as-secu...</a>
giantg2almost 4 years ago
You can use a security targeted distro, like copperheadOS.<p>You can use the regular built in stuff, like device encryption, long pins, adjusting the privacy settings, and adding&#x2F;removing apps for best security.<p>Then there&#x27;s this for general tips. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;anonymousplanet.org&#x2F;guide.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;anonymousplanet.org&#x2F;guide.html</a>
Dah00nalmost 4 years ago
It depends on how you define security. Are you talking about privacy maybe? Because there are more 0-day exploits for iphones than pixels so for security you are already ahead.
Raed667almost 4 years ago
Really depends on your threat model. But here are some very generic steps:<p>- Only use Google devices<p>- Enabled disk encryption<p>- Only use password unlock (instead of fingerprint or face unlock)