How to Improve the Security of Android Messages

Here are some advice for you if you want to keep your Android SMS messages free of spam or worse.

Nothing is really safe. Period. You cannot ensure a device’s security if it is connected to any form of network. That is simply a truth, and it is only becoming worse by the day. But you can’t expect to do anything if you unplug your gadgets from all networks.

This implies that every device user must exercise caution while using applications and services. Android Messages is one application that you may believe is immune to hacking. You would be mistaken, though, because hackers have several techniques under their sleeves.

1. Block, block, and more block

Every time I receive an SMS message from someone I don’t know, I block and report the number. Yes, it is possible that I will end up obstructing some innocent bystander. But the reality is, if the number isn’t in my contacts, it’s either spam or harmful. As a result, I block and report any unknown sender.

How does one go about blocking a questionable message? Simple:

• Launch the Messages app.
• Long-press to pick the desired message.
• Select Block from the drop-down menu

2. Activate Verified SMS

Android Messages has a function that verifies every company that sends you an SMS. If you receive a message from a Google-certified business, the sender will be validated and will display a verified icon. The only catch is that firms must sign up for it in order to be confirmed. Nonetheless, this is a useful approach to determine whether the sender of an SMS message is legitimate.

To activate Verified SMS, complete the following steps:

• Launch Messages.
• Select Settings.
• Scroll to the bottom and choose Verified SMS.
• To enable the function, move the slider to the ON position.

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3. Activate Spam Protection

SMS texts are also protected against spam in real-time by Android. When this option is selected, Messages will try to detect suspicious SMS messages as they arrive. When Android identifies a probable spam message, it moves it to the Messages spam folder. The number can then be reported as spam and blocked.

To enable the Spam Protection function, perform these steps:

• Launch Messages.
• Select Settings.
• Scroll to the bottom and select Spam prevention.

4. Please do not respond.

My final piece of advice is to refrain from responding to questionable SMS texts. Do not even respond with a note telling the sender that the number is incorrect. Why? Because some spammers merely want confirmation that the message was delivered to a real person in order to act. By ignoring (and blocking/deleting) those questionable communications, you eliminate the potential of a bad actor establishing your humanness and progressing to the next stage of the process.

Yes, I have a strict rule of never replying to texts from numbers that are not in my contacts. Has it ever been an issue? No. Has it avoided major problems? Yes.

If you follow these four tips, you will improve your Android SMS experience.