It’s official: mobile security has become one of the most overlooked aspects of owning a phone. With phones containing more important data than ever, the security of your data is increasingly important, whether it’s from hackers looking to steal your personal identity, from nosy bystanders who happen to find your lost phone, or from those you may not trust while handling your device.

We’ve put together the ultimate checklist for securing your Android phone.

1. Set a PIN number to lock your phone.

Studies have shown that it’s much easier for a bystander to see your unlock pattern than your PIN number. Choosing a six digit pin code to unlock your device will decrease your likelihood for

2. Better yet, use a thumb print or facial scan to unlock your phone.

Assuming your phone has it of course. Using biometrics allows for maximum security when unlocking your phone — keeping your device completely safe from prying eyes.

Thumb scans not only apply to unlocking your phone — by setting it up on your phone, you can simultaneously lock access from financial apps and mainstream apps such as PayPal or eBay.

3. While you’re at it, lock your apps too.

Not all apps are safe from opening. Once someone is in your phone, they’ll have access to any app you’ve installed. It’s important to keep your personal apps free from intruders, with banking and chat apps the most common.

SteelVault offers an exclusive feature that allows you to select any app to add a PIN code or fingerprint too. Also, it can optionally randomizes the numerical order of the PIN interface for extra security.

4. Stick to trustworthy apps.

Android has the benefit of allowing users to install apps outside of the Google Play Store. However, this opens up a whole issue regarding security; by installing an APK file, you’re bypassing Google’s security measures and potentially exposing your phone to added risk — depending on the source of the APK file. It’s infinitely safer to install directly from the Google Play Store to prevent backdoors and keyloggers from installing itself on your phone.

5. Add 2FA whenever possible.

Two-Factor Authentication is becoming a standard amongst apps and services that require an added layer of security. By setting up 2FA — whether the verification is through text, phone call, or Google Authenticator — you’re keeping your data extra safe from hackers and unwarranted access.

6. Update your Android software regularly.

While many refuse to install the latest Android software update for fear of new bugs and losing features, from a security stand point, you really should install them the second they’re available. Software updates typically include patches to security flaws found in the Android framework. Skipping a version or two could mean doom.

Also, when buying an Android phone, it’s also important to choose a phone that provides continuous updates — certain phones have more frequent updates than others.

7. Store your photos and documents privately.

There’s nothing worst than showing photos of your dog to your family , only to have an embarrassing photo pop up on your next swipe. For your more sensitive photos, you may want to store it safely in an app that provides both PIN code security and safe storage. Important documents, such as contracts, agreements, passport scans, and more, should also be kept hidden from those handling your phone.

SteelVault is the perfect solution for saving photos and documents in a secure and protected environment.

8. Save your passwords in a password management app.

Okay, we all have way too many passwords to remember now. One simple solution is to install a password management app such as LastPass or 1Password to safely store all your passwords. However, it’s highly recommended you apply all of the above safety precautions to keep it safe, including applying an app locker and 2FA.

9. Safely store your most important passwords, personal credentials, or your next big idea.

If password management still scares the heck out of you, you may want to use a note saving app that uses a PIN code to access. While Evernote and Google Keep are great for keeping grocery lists, it’s a terrible place to store your passwords, business ideas, SSN number, and other notes that are important to you.

SteelVault allows you to store notes behind its PIN or fingerprint protected interface. Perfect for saving passwords, personal journals, credentials, and more.

10. Turn off connections you’re not using.

Bluetooth, WIFI, and location sharing can not only be a battery killer, but they also could provide a breaching point for hackers to get into your phone. Turn those features off when they’re not in use to keep your phone “seemingly” offline.

11. While you’re at it, uninstall apps you’re not using too.

Your phone must be loaded with apps you don’t use, or hope to use one day but haven’t opened in two months. By keeping an app on your phone — especially one that was installed via APK — you’re keeping your phone open to potential risk in the future, if the app were to become compromised. Not only does it save storage space and allow your device to run faster, deleting unused apps keeps your device even safer from harm.

12. Browse the web privately.

Browser searches and page history can tell quite the story about a person. Before someone gets into your phone and sees a rather embarrassing search term on your Chrome browser, maybe it’s best to take your web searches elsewhere — in a browser that doesn’t use cookies, doesn’t show up in your browsing history, and keeps you completely anonymous.

SteelVault also allows you to browse the web without fear of having someone see your search history.

13. When in doubt — remote wipe.

If all else fails, and your device is either lost or stolen, sometimes it’s best to clean house than to hope for the better. Logging into your Google account that’s associated to your Android phone, you can remotely wipe your device so that your apps and data won’t be compromised. It may not be the best option, but it’s better safe than sorry.