Nine steps for securing an Android tablet
Convenience usually wins out over security in popular computing, and tablets are no exception. You might expect an Android tablet to be an exception because it runs a variant of Linux, but following the headlines about the latest malware will soon disabuse you of such notions. The blunt truth is that most tablets ship completely unsecured, and the only mention of security in their manuals or quick guides is likely to be half a page suggesting that you install an anti-virus app.
The problem is not that securing a tablet is difficult – it's that you are left on your own, and the tools are scattered about. However, with a little effort and the application of a few elementary precautions, you should be able to achieve at least a minimally acceptable level of security on your tablet.
Specifically, here are nine concrete precautions you can take to increase your tablet's security. The screen shots are from a 10.1 Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, but most tablets should have similar if not identical options, especially because they are all dependent upon the Google Play Store.
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