How to Keep Your Google Pixel 5 Safe & Secure
With lots of cyber-attacks going around in recent times, both companies and their customers are screaming for better protection. Both Android and iOS operating systems have thus implemented various security protocols and users should really pay close attention to them. We now have the two-step validation, either immaterial or material, but also the Advanced Protection Program. Whatever protocol you choose, here's how to protect your Google Pixel 5 smartphone, and your data, from others.
Protect your Google account and Google product
There is a protocol that companies like Google are committed to respecting. If this were not the case, the whole policy of trust that the Mountain View firm had towards its users would no longer make sense and thereby lose them. We saw this a few years ago when Apple refused to release information requested by the FBI, on several iPhones held by people facing legal proceedings. If the Apple company had given in, all the trust it had established with consumers of its products would have vanished overnight. Standing up to the authorities, de facto reinforced its image as an impregnable fortress, just like their phones, and thus enabled it to gain even more customers.
There is therefore a strong demand from consumers of so-called high-tech products for enhanced security on access to their data. Since version 3 of the Pixel phones, Google has implemented an authentication chip in these smartphones. This is a hardware chip with firmware designed by Google, validating the integrity of the key on demand. This multi-factor authentication (MFA), also called the two-step validation or two-factor authentication (2SV, 2-Step Verification), requires users to validate their identity using an element they know (Gmail address of the Google account) followed by an element in their possession (an access code which is immaterial or a physical key which is material).
How to Keep Your Google Pixel 5 Safe & Secure
There is therefore a great interest of a Google account user to protect their data, whether they are an individual or a professional. This approach to better defend has been accentuated in recent years, and for a simple reason: the ability of hackers to steal data. We saw it in France with the Citrix company which, I would remind you, is an American multinational company offering collaboration, virtualization, and networking products to facilitate mobile work and adoption of cloud services. And since then? We don't count cyber attacks anymore!
Hence, there is this urgency that I could not emphasize enough, to protect your data, for example by buying a Pixel 5. From there, to set up the hardware key, follow the guide I have provided:
- log in with your Google account,
- open a Google Chrome browser and in the Omnibox enter https://myaccount.google.com/security,
- in āConnect to Googleā, click on Two-step validation and enter your password,
- such a window containing this information should appear if you have a Pixel containing a Titan key. It will of course be necessary to activate the two-step validation,
- by clicking on āAddā in the section concerning āAdd your phone's integrated security keyā, a new window will appear,
- all you have to do is select the Pixel phone, in this case here the Pixel 5, and a new window will appear,
- by clicking āAddā, a security key is added to the phone.
- a new window validates your key. Validate on āOkā and return to the security file of your account.
Why a Titan key?
As we can see, the verification of your identity is done very easily, allowing a key to validate it, but especially to be able to switch directly in your session.
A Titan key on a smartphone is not just a product that you use once a month. You know as well as I do that unfortunately there are times when you need to reset it. Having a security key of this type again helps to ensure that your data is well protected and you will be asked for it if you have performed a reset.
Regarding the series of phones incorporating a Titan M key, these are:
- Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL,
- Pixel 3a,
- Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL,
- Pixel 4a,
- And, of course, Pixel 5.
It is still possible through phishing to intercept a soft key. Regarding the hardware keys, even if a fraudulent site requests the codes of a key, through encryption, it will verify the legitimacy of the website and therefore reject the request. There is therefore less risk with the use of a hardware key than with an access code.
Physical protection
Of course, the other part of protection is the physical one, that is, from damage. This one comes quite easy to implement, although it comes with a price. Pixel 5, being the latest release from Google, has numerous products that various companies have provided in regards to phone protection. By buying screen protectors, phone cases, leather wallets, etc. you will prolong your phone's life by much.
Finding such products is easy ā simply go to Amazon and buy whatever you may find the best. But, bear in mind that there are various companies that don't advertise their products on Amazon and sell them through their websites only. For example, one such product is the i-Blades Smart case for Googleās Pixel 5, which offers a great range of protection with an amazing quality. In addition, it provides more storage memory and battery life, making your Pixel 5 even more powerful and safe than it already is
Final words
In conclusion, and I can't stress it enough - don't take your phone protection lightly. Your data belongs to you, do not give it to others who will find a way to do you harm. Plus, donāt think that since youāve bought a new phone that you will be extra careful not to break it. Accidents happen, trust me. IF you already have your Pixel 5, use the two-part authentication key, buy as much physical protection as possible, and enjoy your fantastic smartphone for a long time.
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