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.
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.
Because this tracking doesn’t just serve to show you “tailored ads”; it also allows companies and third parties to collect:
Accumulated over months or years, this information can profile you with unsettling accuracy.
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.
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Another setting almost no one reviews is the automatic sharing of diagnostic data with Google. This function, enabled by default, constantly sends information about:
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.
That information could:
Go to Security & privacy > Privacy > Usage and diagnostics and turn it off.
Your phone will work exactly the same—while sharing far less information.
This is probably the biggest and most common error. Many apps ask for excessive permissions, such as permanent access to:
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.
An app with unjustified permissions can:
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.
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.
Many attacks affecting users today come from fake installers, modified versions of popular apps or “free” streaming platforms.
Block the installation of unknown apps:
Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps
Disable any source that isn’t Google Play.
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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:
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.