Smartphones store a lot of personal information, including email or social media accounts, reminders and notes, the number of steps we take each day, and even personal biometric data, such as fingerprints. While all this can make life easier, abusers and stalkers can also misuse this information to monitor, control, and harass victims.

Android phones are the second most commonly used smartphones in Australia. This guide will help users enhance security and privacy when using their Android smartphone. Although all android phones use the same operating system, depending on who made the phone (Samsung, Motorola, HTC), each phone’s settings can be quite different. Use this handout as a general guide, rather than step-by-step instructions.

Essentially, there are two areas to look at when increasing your smartphone’s privacy and security: (1) the privacy and security mechanisms built into your device (which may be slightly different depending on the maker of your phone) and (2) the Google account (which is essential to all Android smartphones) associated with your smartphone…READ MORE