Android Privacy 101
đź”’ Android Lock Screen Privacy 101
Small Changes, Huge Security Benefits On Your Android
9 Major Elements on your Lock Screen
The Android lock screen typically contains information and functionality. Android lock screen:
1. Clock: Alarms, upcoming events and appointments
2. Notifications: From Messages/Emails/OTPs/Transactions
3. Your Service Provider (Neme) and status and strengths (Signals)
4. Radio Details (LTE, WIFI, Bluetooth, NFC etc)
5. Type of Lock (Iris, Face, Fingerprint, Pattern, Passcode)
6. App shortcuts, Normally Can be manipulated on a Locked Screen
7. Media controls: Can be manipulated even fone is locked
8. Emergency contacts and information: Most Sensitive Information
9. Camera and other quick access shortcuts: Anyone can use the camera even if the phone is locked and activate all senses along the way.
The operating system on these systems is “run of the mill” in nature. brands like Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. etc.
The manufacturers and providers of the phones can track you, and the components in your phone are consistently listening, watching, and tracking you.
The applications that we use every day continuously store every date and metadata, including what you do throughout the day and even when you are sleeping.
1. Clock: Alarms, upcoming events and appointments
For some, it may look normal, but for those who want their privacy at first, just look at the lock screen—the pile of private information that is accessible openly without any effort or hack.
Lock screen information is itself a hack.
2. Notifications: From Messages/Emails/OTPs/Transactions
This style of lock screen can cause trouble not only for the user but for all the people who are connected with us. You don't want to reveal other people's private information to such an extent so no further hacking or tracking is needed. People can access it all on your lock screen.
- Open the Settings app (gear icon).
- Tap Notifications.
- Tap Lock Screen Notifications.
- Tap off notifications
- To prohibit all notifications in DND, tap Hide all notifications.
Exercise caution with OTP and sensitive information because the OTP scam is at its peak.
OTP and Sensitive Data
SMS or other OTPs are displayed on the lock screen for convenience. However, unauthorised access to your device can pose a major security risk. To mitigate this vulnerability, hide sensitive information like OTPs from the lock screen in your settings.
Mind Your Digital Footprint
Every tap and keystroke on your Android device leaves a trail on its ROM. So never enter confidential details on public Wi-Fi networks, and regularly clear your browsing history and cache to reduce the chances of unauthorised access to your digital footprint. In most cases, use a VPN to secure yourself.
3. Your Service Provider (Neme) and status and strengths (Signals)
Change your carrier label to just ICON so no one has access to see who your service provider is.
4. Radio Details (LTE, WIFI, Bluetooth, NFC etc)
Anyone can see what sensors and radio waves are active on your phone.
Manage GPS Tracking
Your phone’s GPS can track your every move, so disable it when you don’t actively need it. Privacy risks are the main concern here. Assess your location settings and configure them to activate only when necessary. This minimises the risk of unauthorised tracking.
Prevention of Bluetooth hacking
Keep Bluetooth devices in non-discoverable mode when not in use.
Use strong PINs or passcodes for pairing.
Prevention of NFC hacking
Disable NFC when not in use.
Only enable NFC in trusted environments for payment
Prevention of Wi-Fi hacking
Use complex passwords for Wi-Fi networks.
Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption for your Wi-Fi network.
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) in public places.
5. Type of Lock (Iris, Face, Fingerprint, Pattern, Passcode)
A passcode is most secure on a locked screen. And Pattern is the least secure.
6. App shortcuts, Normally Can be manipulated on a Locked Screen
No app shortcut on the lock screen, and minimise lock screen customizations as low as zero. These customizations can centralise your data and make it accessible without unlocking your Android screen.
7. Media controls: Can be manipulated even fone is locked
8. Emergency contacts and information: Most Sensitive Information
9. Camera and other quick access shortcuts and microphones
Anyone can use the camera even if the phone is locked and activate all senses along the way.
Guard Your microphones can be exploited to invade your privacy.
Secure your cameras because this is a feature-level vulnerability. Apps may request constant access to your cameras, potentially compromising your privacy.
Apps may request constant access to your cameras, potentially compromising your privacy.
Audit app permissions and revoke camera access for suspicious apps.
Consider investing in a camera cover as an additional layer of protection when your phone is not in use.
