Using your phone every day has become so natural that you often overlook settings and habits that, without realizing it, expose your personal data, your privacy and even your financial information. And while Android is a flexible and powerful system, it’s also a constant target for cybercriminals, malicious apps and silent tracking platforms.
At TecnetOne, we know that most security incidents don’t happen because of complex technical failures, but because of small oversights that open the door to something much bigger. That’s why today we’re sharing five things you should never do on your Android device if you want to reduce risks and keep your information safe.
Leaving Google’s Advertising ID Enabled
This is one of the most invisible yet most intimate risks. Every Android device has an Advertising ID, a sort of digital license plate that apps use to track your activity across applications, analyze your behavior and build an incredibly precise consumption profile.
Why is it a problem?
Because this tracking doesn’t just serve to show you “tailored ads”; it also allows companies and third parties to collect:
- Your interests
- Your usage habits
- How long you spend in each app
- Where you connect from
- Your approximate location
Accumulated over months or years, this information can profile you with unsettling accuracy.
What should you do?
Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads and disable or reset your Advertising ID.
You won’t remove ads, but you will stop them from being built on your history, tastes and personal habits.
In a world where data is worth more than gold, this step is essential.
Read more: New Android Malware Disguises Itself as Russian FSB Antivirus
Keeping Usage and Diagnostics Sharing Enabled
Another setting almost no one reviews is the automatic sharing of diagnostic data with Google. This function, enabled by default, constantly sends information about:
- System performance
- App crashes
- Usage patterns
- Battery behavior
- General device activity
Google claims this is only to “improve user experience,” but in reality you’re sending a complete radiograph of how, when and how much you use your phone.
What’s the risk?
That information could:
- Leak during an attack
- End up in the hands of third parties
- Be used to further profile you
- Reveal habits you prefer to keep private
How to disable it
Go to Security & privacy > Privacy > Usage and diagnostics and turn it off.
Your phone will work exactly the same—while sharing far less information.
Ignoring the Permissions Your Apps Request
This is probably the biggest and most common error. Many apps ask for excessive permissions, such as permanent access to:
- Your camera
- Your microphone
- Your location
- Your contacts
- Your files
The worrying part is that many apps don’t really need these permissions to work, yet you grant them without thinking—and that’s where the risk begins.
Why does it matter?
An app with unjustified permissions can:
- Record you without you noticing
- Activate your camera
- Track your real-time location
- Read your files
- Spy on your activity
- Sell your data to third parties
What to do
Regularly go to:
Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy controls > Permission manager
Review each permission and revoke anything that isn’t essential.
You’ll be surprised how many apps still have access to your microphone or location without you knowing.
Installing Apps Outside Google Play
Android gives you the freedom to install apps from any source via APK files. Although useful in very specific cases, it’s also one of the most dangerous attack vectors.
Installing apps outside the official store is like opening your door to a stranger: they might be harmless… or they might be malware waiting to infect your device.
What threats hide in external APKs?
- Banking trojans
- Spyware
- Cloned apps that steal passwords
- Modified apps that take over your device
- Keyloggers
- Malware with advanced evasion techniques
Many attacks affecting users today come from fake installers, modified versions of popular apps or “free” streaming platforms.
How to protect yourself
Block the installation of unknown apps:
Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps
Disable any source that isn’t Google Play.
You might also be interested in: Windows 11 to Sync Clipboard with Android: What to Expect
Showing Passwords and Granting Admin Permissions Without Thinking
Android lets you show password characters while typing to avoid mistakes. While convenient, it’s extremely dangerous—someone behind you can easily see your password in seconds.
But the biggest risk lies in administrator permissions. When you give this level of access to a dubious app, you are handing over the keys to your kingdom.
An app with admin privileges can:
- Prevent uninstallation
- Modify critical settings
- Delete your data
- Lock your device
- Install more malware
- Spy on you without restrictions
What to do
- Go to Security > Advanced settings > Device admin apps and review them one by one.
- Disable any app you don’t recognize or that doesn’t truly need that level of access.
- Turn off the option to show passwords.
Conclusion: Your Phone Holds Your Life—Protect It Accordingly
Your phone is no longer just a phone: it’s your wallet, your calendar, your history, your conversations, your photos, your banking apps and your access to countless accounts.
At TecnetOne, we want you to understand something essential:
Most scams, data theft and leaks don’t happen because someone “hacked you,” but because you unknowingly opened the door.
With these five simple changes, you can drastically reduce your exposure and prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands.
If you want to take your mobile security to the next level, TecnetOne is ready to help.
