Eero mesh router review - Tom's Guide
Eero mesh router review - Tom's Guide |
- Eero mesh router review - Tom's Guide
- What you need to know about encryption on your phone - CNET
- How to stay private when using Android - Security Boulevard
| Eero mesh router review - Tom's Guide Posted: 21 Feb 2020 09:39 AM PST Going against the grain, the latest Eero mesh kit is built around small, inexpensive devices, but it lacks the speaker and microphone you'll find on the Orbi Voice and Nest Wifi routers. As this router is the follow-up to one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market, we've been eagerly waiting to see what the new Amazon-owned Eero would deliver, and the results are mixed. It doesn't measure up on range and performance, and its Secure+ protection plan costs an extra $100 a year. Still, at $249 for a three-pack, it's the best bargain in mesh networking today. Eero Mesh designSince being purchased by Amazon last year, Eero has been very busy. It has not only engineered a smaller mesh networking kit that should be more than enough to fill most homes, but the company has also dropped its prices; at $249 for a three-pack, it costs $150 less than the similar trio of devices for the 2017 Eero.
Small, white and with rounded corners, the Eero device is one of the smallest networking designs around. At 3.9 inches square and 2.4 inches tall, it's smaller than Google's Nest Wifi devices and positively miniscule compared to Netgear's Orbi devices. In other words, it's easy to hide (like on a bookshelf) but is unobtrusive enough to be left out in the open on a coffee table. Eero Mesh product specsWi-Fi specs: 802.11ac/dual-band mesh kit Eero is available in any color so long as it's white, making for a rather plain contrast with the Nest Wifi's pastel color choices. The Eero device also misses the opportunity to double as a smart speaker or house-wide sound system, because it lacks the speaker, microphone and audio amplifier that Nest Wifi and Orbi Voice have. It's not an Alexa endpoint, but if you have an Echo speaker, it can respond to commands like "Alexa, turn off Eero's LED." Each Eero can act as a router or extension, depending on how it's configured. While the three-pack of devices costs $249, individual extensions are $99 each. That's nearly 40% off the price of the previous iteration and a bargain compared to the $349 Nest Wifi three-pack. The company also sells the Eero Beacon ($119), a plug-in, wireless-only extension, as well as the tri-band, high-performance Eero Pro ($159). The Eero devices I looked at had a pair of gigabit RJ45 Ethernet ports, which is a step forward compared to the Nest Wifi extensions, which are wireless only. The Eero units can connect either wirelessly or with an Ethernet cable and are perfect for plugging in a printer or network storage device. A reset button on the bottom of the device lets you wipe it clean of settings.
Despite being new and fresh, the current gear can work with older Eero units. According to the company, there's no limit to the number of Eero devices on a network, although the returns will likely diminish at five or six extensions. Each device can cover 1,500 square feet, while the three-pack is good for a 5,000-square-foot home. That's much larger than the typical home, making the Eero three-pack an inexpensive way to fill a house or apartment with Wi-Fi. Small and unobtrusive, the Eero devices are stuffed with powerful wireless technology. Each unit has three built-in antennas and Bluetooth 5.0 for use during setup and when communicating with household devices. Eero uses beamforming to tailor the transmitted data and Mu-MIMO to maximize bandwidth, but this router lacks the latest, Wi-Fi 6 technology. The Eero system uses a dual-band design, which is a step down from the Orbi and Eero Pro systems, which use a tri-band design. The host base station, which Eero calls a gateway, acts as the network's router to set up a daisy-chain or hub-and-spoke topology with its extensions. This system tops out at a maximum throughput of 550 Mbps, far below the Nest WiFi's 2.2-Gbps rating. Eero Mesh performanceBased on Qualcomm's ubiquitous IPQ4019 Wi-Fi chipset, the Eero devices use a 700-MHz quad-core processor that's half the speed of the Nest Wifi's CPU. The Eero has 512MB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage space for its firmware and settings. To see how well the Eero devices work, we set the system up at the Tom's Guide open office. The router hit its peak at 5 feet from the client, with 342.2 Mbps available. This performance puts the Eero well behind the Google Nest Wifi' and its 653.2 Mbps, the original Eero and its 573.7Mbps, and the Orbi RBK50 and it 552.1Mbps. The new Eero's performance dropped off to 319.8 Mbps, 285.7Mbps and 213.9Mbps at 15-, 50- and 100-foot measurements, scores that were at least 100 Mbps less than what the Orbi RBK50 and Nest Wifi were capable of.
In our single-hop mesh test, where the extension was set up 50 feet from the host, the Eero proved less than stellar, delivering 169.1 Mbps of bandwidth, about one-third of the throughput of the Nest Wifi's 480.1 Mbps. We then added the second extension at a right angle 50 feet away. At this location, the router provided only 50.6 Mbps, versus 211.4Mbps for the Nest Wifi system. We set the router and client up with three walls and 40 feet between them to test how well the router handled common obstructions (like walls); it again disappointed, with only 84.0 Mbps of bandwidth available. That's less than a quarter of the 400.7 Mbps available from the Nest Wifi system under the same conditions. These results were mirrored when I set up the Eero system at my 3,500-square-foot home. I installed the router in the middle of the main level and placed the extensions on floors above and below. The devices had a range of 65 feet, which is second best behind the Nest Wifi's 80-foot range. My dwelling's older construction often foils even the strongest Wi-Fi router, and the Eero three-pack left several portions of the home unconnected.
It passed my informal throughput saturation test, in which I used four computers at once: one playing the BBC World Service audio feed, two playing YouTube videos, and the fourth moving data onto and off a networking storage device. Neither the audio nor the video streams had any dropouts, artifacts or other problems. When it was doing its thing, the Eero devices never got more than warm to the touch. Each device uses a modest 3.6 watts of power, which is on a par with the Nest devices but half the power consumption of Orbi Voice. That usage all adds up to estimated annual expenses of $4.10 for one, $8.20 for two and $12.30 for three Eeros if you pay the national average of 13 cents per kilowatt of electricity. Eero Mesh setupHappily, the new Eero devices are just as easy to set up as the old ones, and the devices are interchangeable. Using my Galaxy Note 10 phone, the process started with downloading and installing the Android app; there's also an iOS app for iPhones and iPads. As is the case with the Nest Wifi gear, there's no way to use a web browser to set the devices up. While the app has lots of illustrations to describe the process, it started off with four screens extolling Eero's virtues.
To begin setup, I clicked on Let's Get Started and created an account with Eero using my email address and phone number. I needed to validate the email address with a verification code, but it took a frustrating 3 minutes for the code to arrive, slowing the overall process.
Next, I checked that the terms and conditions were OK with me, and then the app took over, asking me to plug in the gateway device and connect it to my broadband router with the included Ethernet cable. The device turned itself on, and its LED glowed white; there's no on/off switch.
On the app, I tapped that I was installing a standard Eero device, not a Pro model. Then, I tapped Next to see a drawing of the parts I needed; all were supplied, except for the broadband modem. After I allowed the app to use my location, it scanned for the Eero device as the device's LED blinked blue.
The app found the Eero in about 20 seconds, and I selected the device's location, which names each unit to help keep things straight as you add extensions throughout the house. All looked good, with the device's light now glowing solid blue. If the light had turned red, it would have meant that I'd lost the Eero's web connection, while yellow would mean something was wrong with the power adapter.
I finished up by typing in a network name and password and let the software register the device with Eero central. In a moment, the app showed that everything was set up and active — no restart required. Once active, the Earo delivered a network with a single name that covers both the 2.4- and 5-GHz segments and provided 180 Mbps to my iPad Pro on the first try.
Next up, I wanted to add the Eero extensions. After plugging one in on the floor below where the host gateway was located, I used the app's menu to tap on Add Extension. I viewed the app's three setup tips and then plugged in the device; it blinked white at first and then blue. The app scanned for and found the extension. The unit's LED glowed green to show a successful connection.
I used Eero's placement test to verify that the device was online and in the right position to transmit and receive the strongest signal. With that done, I added the second extension for a three-Eero network. All told, it took 15 minutes to set up the gateway and extensions for my home network.
Eero Mesh configurationAlthough it can seem cluttered at first, Eero's home page is a masterpiece of integration, showing all key elements of the network. Reading down from the top, there's an overall-status message, on which green means everything is OK, followed by the number of connected clients and the top three devices, ranked by use of bandwidth.
Below that, you can see what Eero devices are connected, and if you tap on that display, you get to the configuration page. Along the bottom are the most recent download and upload test results and a place to run a fresh test. Tap the upper right, and you'll get a weekly activity report, with details on malware scans, threats and ads blocked, as well as the software's family online-content filters.
Happily, unlike the Nest WiFi, which requires two apps for adjusting the configuration, Eero does it in a single app. In addition to changing the network name, password and time zone, you can also use the Advanced Settings section to change things like setting static IP addressing. I was able to adjust the firewall and domain name server (DNS), set up port forwarding, and choose the details of the internet connection. At any time, I could remotely restart or delete the network and start again.
The configuration items are not deep, but they are adequate, considering the audience. If you subscribe to the Eero Secure Plus service, there's a link to get to the underlying details, including using the ad blocker.
Eero Mesh smart-home integration, security and parental controlsThe base Eero has adequate security using WPA2 encryption but doesn't have the ability to use the stronger WPA3 protocol or a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for authenticating its firmware upgrades. Updates are not encrypted and might be a backdoor for a hacker to enter your network.
There are two security options that can help raise a shield around Eero the network, but they will cost you. The Secure option costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 for a full year and beefs up the defenses with Eero's Ad Block, a reputation-based cloud analysis of websites, the ability to block sites and objectionable content, and ad blocking. You'll get a weekly security report. The Secure Plus option raises the price to $9.99 per month or $99 a year. For that, you get the 1Password credential manager, which is good for five users, as well as unlimited access for five users to encrypt.me's virtual private network (VPN). The best part is the three-system license for Malwarebytes Premium antivirus software.
Together, the package is worth much more than the annual $100 fee, making it a bargain for those who don't currently have this level of protection. On the other hand, the Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400) cybersecurity router includes in its purchase price three years of an unlimited license for Bitdefender Total Security that includes a top-shelf malware protection and a password manager but not VPN access; after that three-year period, it costs $70 per year. Unlike Google's Nest Wifi, the Eero devices don't have heavy home-automation integration. You can use Alexa over the network to pause the internet, but you can't do more-advanced actions, like having Malwarebytes run a scan. The Eero devices come with a one-year warranty and a slew of tech support options from the Eero Help Center. You can ask questions and troubleshoot problems with technicians over the phone, in a chat window or via email, and there are articles on the hardware and software, networking primers, and assistance with the mobile apps. It's all very useful and a step up from the 90 days of support that Netgear provides with its Orbi mesh kits. Bottom lineSmall and easy to set up, the new Eero mesh kit can fill most homes with Wi-Fi, but it doesn't impress on range or overall performance. Less expensive than the original Eero, the latest iteration has expensive security options that add a layer of protection but that can raise the price by up to $100 a year. The Eero mesh system delivers house-filling Wi-Fi at a reasonable price. It's also one of the best bargains in mesh Wi-Fi, offering a three-pack for less than the cost of the two-piece Nest Wifi kit. You'll give up the Nest's built-in Google Home smart speaker, but that's still a relatively new feature that hasn't yet proven its long-term value. For the best home Wi-Fi performance, our top pick is still the Netgear Orbi (RBK50), which has great speed and range and even lets you add voice interaction with the addition of the Orbi Voice. But if you want simple coverage that won't leave dead spots in your home, the Eero mesh system is an excellent deal.  |
| What you need to know about encryption on your phone - CNET Posted: 10 Mar 2016 12:00 AM PST  The heated and very public confrontation between the FBI and Apple has spurred a lot of talk about encryption, the technology that shields data on phones and other gadgets. The feds are pushing Apple to find a way to prevent an iPhone 5C from erasing itself after 10 successive incorrect guesses at the passcode. The user of that phone, San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook, used a PIN code to secure his device, and without bypassing that code, the data stored on it is unreadable, thanks to encryption. If Apple were to disable the auto-erase feature, the FBI could then connect the iPhone to a computer and quickly and repeatedly attempt to guess the passcode -- a technique commonly referred to as a brute force attack -- until the device is unlocked. Should the FBI prevail and the courts force Apple to comply, the decision could have widespread implications for our daily lives. Apple and fellow technology companies would be forced to create permanent solutions for law enforcement to get around encryption, using what's commonly referred to as a back door. Alternatively, companies could very well decide the financial burden of maintaining encryption and abiding by law enforcement requests is too much, and give up on adding security features to the devices we've come to rely upon. With our personal devices carrying more and more of our lives than ever before, it's a good time to look at what is and isn't encrypted and what you can do to ensure your information is safe. What is encryption? A fancy word for a basic concept, encryption is the science behind protecting any information stored on an electronic device, be it a phone, a laptop or a server. On a phone that means your photos, text conversations, emails and documents. Encryption stores information in a scrambled format, typically unreadable by computers or people without a key (which only the device's owner should know) to unlock the data. PIN codes (of numbers, letters or a combination of both) and fingerprints are just two of many examples of keys used to unlock an encrypted device. Indeed, the practice of encryption is far more technical than requiring a PIN code or fingerprint to unlock a device. Some phone manufacturers, such as Apple, require multiple pieces of information -- one known to the device owner, another embedded in the processor inside the device unknown to anyone -- to unlock data stored within the device. It's important to note, regardless of the device you're using, data created by third-party applications store information on their own servers, which may or may not be encrypted. Even then, the rules for decrypting data stored on a server are often different than data stored on a phone (see iCloud section below for more information). In other words, most of what we do on a phone is backed up to a server at some point. That means a copy of your Facebook posts or photo albums, Snapchat conversations, or Twitter direct messages are stored on your device but also on the respective servers for each service. Essentially, any information stored within an app on your phone that forgoes any sort of connection to a server is encrypted and inaccessible by law enforcement on a locked phone. For example, if an iOS user wanted to keep Notes or Contacts off of Apple severs, he or she would need to disable iCloud sync for the respective app in Settings. If you've opted not to sync your contacts or calendars through Google or a similar service, relying instead on a local copy of information on your device, that data is encrypted and presumably inaccessible by law enforcement. How does iOS handle encryption? Apple began encrypting iOS devices in 2014 with the release of iOS 8. Prior to iOS 8, iOS users were able to set a PIN or passcode to prevent unauthorized access, but some of the data stored on the device was still accessible by Apple when law enforcement presented the company with a valid warrant. A total of 84 percent of iOS devices are running iOS 8 or later. With iOS 8 and beyond, Apple no longer has the tools required to bypass a device's lock screen and gain access to any data stored on your iOS device. That means items such as call logs, photos, documents, messages, apps and notes are inaccessible to anyone without a device's PIN. This is an important detail, as it has led to the current situation playing out in public view between the FBI and Apple. How does iCloud factor in? Another topic that's come up in the battle between the FBI and Apple is what data stored in an iCloud backup of an iOS can and cannot be accessed by Apple. Apple's Legal Process Guidelines state iCloud backups are encrypted and stored on the company's servers. However, unlike an encrypted device, Apple can access information stored within a backup. Specifically, it's possible for Apple to provide authorities with "photos and videos in the users' camera roll, device settings, app data, iMessage, SMS, and MMS messages and voicemail," as detailed in Section J. What about encryption on Android? As with all things Android, there's a long list of caveats regarding encryption on an Android device. Android manufacturers use different processors and components, each requiring custom software and backup services outside of what Google originally designed Android for. It's the key selling point of Android over iOS, as Android fans are quick to espouse. And they're not wrong. However, each change can introduce unintended security issues outside of Google's control. Google first provided the option for users to opt into encrypting their devices in 2011. At the time, the option was strictly up to the user, leaving the manufacturer out of the equation. Toward the end of 2014, though, the company released Android 5.0 Lollipop with the default setting of encryption turned on. But phone makers didn't have to enable encryption to be default when they made phones; it wasn't a requirement of Google, and in the end, most OEMs left the setting turned off, citing performance issues as the reason. Then, with the release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow in 2015, Google started requiring manufacturers to enable encryption on all devices out of the box. There is, of course, an exception to the rule: Google allows phone makers to disable the feature on what amounts to entry level, and thus often slower devices. For those who want a more technical explanation, read section "9.9 Full-Disk Encryption" of this document. Once an Android device is encrypted, all data stored on the device is locked behind the PIN code, fingerprint, pattern, or password known only to its owner. Without that key, neither Google nor law enforcement can unlock a device. Android security chief Adrian Ludwig recently took to Google+ to refute a claim of a back door into Android: "Google has no ability to facilitate unlocking any device that has been protected with a PIN, password, or fingerprint. This is the case whether or not the device is encrypted, and for all versions of Android." Nevertheless, each phone manufacturer is able to alter Android, customizing its look, adding or removing features, and in the process potentially introducing bugs or vulnerabilities authorities can use to bypass Android's security features. So how do you know if you've got encryption working? Android users can check the encryption status of a device by opening the Settings app and selecting Security from options. There should be a section titled Encryption that will contain the encryption status of your device. If it's encrypted, it will read as such. If not, it should read similar to "encrypt device." Tap on the option if you want to encrypt your device, but make sure to set aside some time -- encrypting a device can take upwards of an hour. Google's backup service for Android devices is optional for device manufacturers and application developers. As with Apple's iCloud Backup practices, data within a backup stored on Google's servers is accessible by the company when presented with a warrant by law enforcement. However, because the backup service is opt-in by developers, it may not contain data from every app installed on your device. What can you do to better protect your data? Android users should enable encryption and set a PIN code or alphanumeric passcode. iOS users, setup Touch ID and use an alphanumeric passcode containing at least six digits. The longer password is a hassle, yes, but with Touch ID enabled, you shouldn't have to enter it too often. If the FBI succeeds in forcing Apple to bypass a device's lock screen timeout, it would take five and a half years for a computer to crack a six-digit alphanumeric passcode, according to Apple's iOS Security Guide (see page 12). As for protecting data stored in backups on Apple's or Google's servers, you can start by disabling iCloud backups by opening the settings app, selecting iCloud, followed by Backup and sliding the switch to the Off position. Apple also allows you to delete iCloud backups from your account through the iCloud settings on your iOS device by opening Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage. On Android, the process for disabling backups will depend on the device you're using, but generally the setting is found in Settings app under Backup & Reset. You can remove backed-up data from Google's servers under the Android section in your Google Dashboard.
Apple takes on the FBI |
| How to stay private when using Android - Security Boulevard Posted: 12 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST The smartphone is one of the most invasive devices ever invented. It's easy to forget that, of course, because we are so familiar with them, and they are so useful. But while you might value your smartphone for the convenience it gives you, tech companies value it for an entirely different reason: it is collecting data on everything you do. If you believe, like us, that privacy is a human right, Android is something of a nightmare. Most people who use Google services are aware the company is tracking their location, checking which websites they go to, recording their voice, and reading their emails. What a lot of people forget is that Android was developed by Google, and is one of the most important tools for this data collection. It is possible, though, to use Android in a way that drastically limits the amount of data you are sharing with Google (and other companies who want your data). In this guide, we'll show you how to do that. In each step below, we'll show you how to use the settings menu on your device to increase your security and privacy. Most of the menus we mention will be the same for most current Android devices, but since devices vary you might find these options in a slightly different location or named differently. With a little poking around in your device's menu, you should be able to find the relevant option. The basic principle: Turn everything offBefore we begin with the specific steps necessary to make your Android device more private, let's highlight a basic principle of using your phone: turn off all the connectivity you do not need. This goes for whatever smartphone, and whichever operating system, you have. Don't let your phone connect to unknown WiFi networks because they may be a source of malware. Don't leave your Bluetooth on because there are plenty of Bluetooth security vulnerabilities. Don't connect your phone to your computer (if you can avoid it), because smartphones can also act as a reservoir of malware, and your phone can be infected without you realizing it. In short: if you are not using a service right now, turn it off. With that out of the way, let's make your phone more secure. Here is a short(ish) list of how to do that. 1. Avoid Google Data ProtectionFirst and foremost, you should be aware of Google's fake commitment to privacy and limit the data the company collects from your phone. Android phones let you do this, but it is hidden. Go to your settings, and look for "activity controls." Here, you can limit the data that Google is collecting via your phone. Going further, you can even use your Google device without signing into your Google account. Unfortunately, this really limits what you can do with your phone. 2. Use a PINAnother basic privacy step is to lock your phone with a personal identification number (PIN). Locking your phone prevents random strangers from being able to get into it and keeps your data private in the event that your phone is stolen or one of your friends "borrows" it. When you set up a PIN on your device, some versions of Android will ask you if you want to encrypt the device as well. This is also a good idea, and we'll come to that process shortly. In 2019, it might seem a bit old-fashioned to use a PIN (or, even better, an alphanumeric password), but in terms of data privacy, a PIN is still king. That's because if you are using the other locking methods that Android provides — your fingerprint or face recognition — you are consenting for this biometric information to be stored on your phone, and occasionally transmitted to Google. 3. Encrypt your deviceEncrypting your entire phone is pretty simple, but not many people do this. Encryption, though, is by far the best way to keep your data private, whether your phone is hacked or stolen. Encrypting your phone can be done from the "security" menu in Android. You need to enter a PIN to do this, and the phone needs to be plugged in. Just don't forget the PIN, because if you do all of the data on your phone may be lost forever. 4. Keep your software up-to-dateEveryone knows that keeping your software up-to-date is incredibly important, but even the most security-conscious people sometimes skip that annoying notification. If you don't keep your phone updated, you are opening yourself up to vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers to steal your data. In Android, you can update your software at any time by going to Settings > About Phone > System Update. 5. Be wary of unknown sourcesBy default, Android locks down the sources of software you can use by only allowing you to download apps from "approved sources" that have been vetted by Android developers. This is actually something that Android has inherited from Linux, which the OS is based on. However, sometimes your phone asks you to enable "unknown sources" for software, and if you're in a rush you can accidentally turn this on. You should never trust software from these sources: some of it is malware, and some of it is merely riddled with security flaws. To disable unknown software sources, go to Settings > Security > Unknown Sources, and uncheck the box. It's probably not enabled anyway, but it doesn't hurt to check. 6. Check app permissionsYep. You know already that you should carefully check all of the permissions that an app asks for when you install it, but in a hurry you may not. There is no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to checking these permissions, but there is a good guiding principle: are the permissions an app is asking for appropriate for what it does? Does this silly game you've downloaded really need to access your camera, contacts, and microphone? Probably not. The situation, when it comes to app permissions, has improved in recent years. In response to user concerns over privacy, Android apps now ask for (almost) all of the permissions they need. They will also ask for these selectively, so you can use an app without granting it all the permissions it asks for. An app will ask for Bluetooth permission, for instance, only when you try to use this functionality. On the other hand, there are some permissions that are so "basic" that they are not even counted as permissions by Android. The most striking example of this is access to your Internet connection. All apps are granted this permission by default, they will not ask you to confirm this, and you cannot disable it. This means that even your flashlight app can send and receive data. You should check the permissions that an app asks for when you install it, but you should also audit your apps frequently to make sure that you have not granted them more permissions than they need. Building this kind of audit into your monthly schedule is a great way of staying on top of your cybersecurity, since you can easily spot extra permissions that you may have granted in a rush. To check these permissions, go to Settings > Apps > In general, if you think an app is asking for greater permissions than necessary, look for an alternative that takes your privacy more seriously. 7. Review your cloud syncPlenty of apps request permission to sync data with the cloud, and sometimes you might want them to do this. There are many advantages of cloud storage for messaging apps and those that store important data. But, just like checking the permissions they ask for, you should also limit the number of apps you have syncing to the cloud. You can turn off cloud syncing for individual apps by going to Settings > Accounts, and then tapping on the app name. 8. Hide notificationsAn often overlooked way of making Android devices more private is simply to turn off notifications on the lock screen. That way, someone who picks up your phone won't be able to see your contacts, message previews, reminders, and alerts. Turning off these notifications is easy. Just go to Settings > Sound & Notifications. 9. Review default appsNow we're getting to some more technical measures. Android opens certain types of files with certain apps, and these are controlled by a list held in Settings > Apps > The key here is to make sure that Android is using the most secure apps available to open particular files. If you've installed ProtonMail, for example, make this your default app for email. The same goes for any other secure app you download because by default Android opens everything with the least privacy-focused apps available (i.e. the apps made by Google, which wants to spy on you). 10. Don't share your location with appsMany apps request that you share your location with them. For some apps, this is incredibly useful. In fact, some apps lose all functionality unless you give them your location data. On the other hand, plenty of apps that don't need to know where you are ask for this information. This, in fact, has been one of the major security concerns of the 5G network, and why Huawei is banned from taking part in it. There was a fear that the Chinese tech giant was collecting location data by default for everyone who used their hardware, and that this could be used to identify individuals even when they had taken precautions against this. To turn off location permissions for your apps, go to Settings > Apps > A more general way of limiting access to your location data is to disable Google's attempts to track your every move. You can do that by going to Settings > Location > Google Location History. 11. Use a non-Google version of AndroidIf you take your privacy seriously, you could also consider using a version of Android that is not built by Google and won't send them data. Though most device manufacturers make their own "flavor" of Android, most of these variant systems are built around the core functionality that Google provides. As a result, almost all "mainstream" versions of Android will share your data with Google. There are some versions of Android, however, that do not do this. Installing them is a pretty major and complicated step, though, so you should carefully consider whether you want to wipe the existing OS from your phone. At the moment, the most developed (and stable) alternative Android OS is LineageOS. This is based on CyanogenMod, which limits access to your phone by third parties. Installing an alternative OS requires technical knowledge, though there are plenty of install guides to help you. 12. Don't use Google for searchYou might be wondering why this option is not higher up on this list. It should be easy to change your default search engine within Android, right? Well, yes and no. No surprise, Android doesn't let you use any other search service from within its default browser. In order to use a more secure search engine, you need to download an alternative browser. These let you change the default search engine and avoid Google collecting data on your queries. 13. Use a VPNA virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all of the data passing between your phone (or computer, or tablet) and the wider Internet. There are plenty of VPN providers out there, but you should be careful about which one you choose. In general, VPN providers often are not transparent about who operates them or how they may or may not use your data. In addition, be wary of VPN providers that are based in the EU or (even worse) the US, because they may be required to share data with foreign intelligence agencies. With our own VPN service, we have gone to great lengths to demonstrate why we offer a VPN worthy of your trust. 14. Use a secure email providerFinally, you should use an email provider that doesn't read your emails. It may sound pretty obvious. But you should remember that everything you do on Gmail is being read by Google. If you are uncomfortable with that, there are plenty of secure (and private) email providers out there. One of them is ProtonMail. We use PGP encryption to keep your emails private when they are in transit, and zero-access encryption to secure your data at rest. As a result, no one but you can access your messages, not even us. It's also quite easy to transfer your data from Gmail using the ProtonMail Import-Export application (now in beta). Learn more: why ProtonMail is trustworthy Using Android privatelyIn closing, it's also worth pointing out that, although Android is a risk to your privacy if you don't lock it down correctly, smartphones per se are not evil. In fact, if used correctly they can be extremely useful in securing other parts of your online life. The clearest example of this is two-factor authentication, in which a time-based code from a smartphone app is required in addition to your password to log in to your account. (Where possible, you should set up this kind of system for all of your online accounts.) The trick to using a smartphone securely, as with any other device, is to take the time to find out how it actually works. That way, you can disable the data-collection and data-sharing "functions" that you don't need. And just by reading this article, you've taken the first step on that road. Best Regards, You can get a free secure email account from ProtonMail here. We also provide a free VPN service to protect your privacy. ProtonMail and ProtonVPN are funded by community contributions. If you would like to support our development efforts, you can upgrade to a paid plan or donate. Thank you for your support. The post How to stay private when using Android appeared first on ProtonMail Blog. *** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from ProtonMail Blog authored by Ludovic Rembert. Read the original post at: https://protonmail.com/blog/android-privacy/  |
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