Data security on Android

The biggest data generator is in our pockets – so securing it to protect privacy is the very first step to do before starting to use a device.

Steps to secure Android

• Remove all non-needed apps
  • Acquire root permissions on your phone (phone specific, use XDA forum)
  • Use Titanium Backup
    • Backup all your data
    • Freeze or uninstall all non necessary programs
      • Remove all which is vendor specific (Samsung, Sony, MIUI fork, …)
      • Remove all Google packages
  • Disable all unused or privacy wise dangerous services with Disable Services
    • If some vital functions are not working you can re-enable it
    • Regularly, apps with disabled services still work (e.g. disabling LocationAccess for Facebook app)

Source: XDA Forum

• • Use an alternative App Market
    • F-Droid‘s community is providing open-source apps for download with basic code checks. The followings are suggested
      • Keyboard: Android stock keyboard
      • Firewall: AFWall+
      • Mail: K-9 Mail
      • Browser: Lightning
      • Sync with CalDav and CarDav servers: DavDroid

• • Install a Firewall (AFWall+)
    • Only allow the absolutely necessary apps to connect to the Internet (Browser, Email client, Sync client)

• • Install a Connection Monitoring Tool (Network Connections)
    • Regularly monitor what tool sends data where

• +1 (Advanced): Use an alternative open-source Android distribution – still do all above steps
  • Use LineageOS or AOSP as your device’s ROM