This new Android security setting spots bad networks and fake cell towers - enable it ASAP

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

ZDNET cardinal takeaways

• There are networks retired determination you should not link to.
• You could adjacent mistakenly link to a fake compartment tower.
• Android 17 has a diagnostic that alerts you, truthful you tin enactment safe.

When you're connected the go, determination whitethorn beryllium times erstwhile you perfectly person to link to a network. Maybe you're successful a determination wherever cellular speeds are excessively dilatory to transportation a file, oregon possibly you're simply acrophobic astir thing gobbling up excessively overmuch of your information plan.

Regardless of the why, the important happening present is this: What web are you connecting to?

Are you connecting to a web astatine your favourite java store (the 1 that isn't protected by a password)? Maybe you're shopping, and the store you're presently perusing has a Wi-Fi network. Your gym? A hotel? The database of networks you should not randomly link to goes connected and on.

Also: How to crook connected Android's Private DNS mode - and wherefore you should ASAP

But what if you're not definite astir the information level of a network? Do you conscionable automatically default to "I won't link to that network"? That's the safest bet, but not ever the astir practical.

Fortunately, Android 17 tin assistance you retired due to the fact that there's a caller summation to web information that tin assistance support you. Along with the Identity Check and Advanced Protection features added successful Android 16, this caller diagnostic should assistance fastener down your device.

This diagnostic is called "Network notifications." According to the settings option, you'll get notified erstwhile your instrumentality connects to an unencrypted web oregon erstwhile a web records your unsocial instrumentality oregon SIM ID.

That's important due to the fact that you whitethorn not cognize if you've connected to an encrypted network. Don't beryllium fooled. Just due to the fact that you person to participate a password to articulation a web doesn't mean it's encrypted. A malicious histrion could acceptable up a Wi-Fi network, marque it look similar it belongs to your favourite java shop, support it unfastened (no password), and hold for you to connect. If that malicious histrion sets that web up arsenic unencrypted, they tin easy work your data.

And that, my friends, is wherefore it's important for you to alteration Android's caller feature. Because Android is smarter than we are astatine detecting if a web is unencrypted, this diagnostic is simply a no-brainer. It's besides precise casual to use. I'll show connected my trusty Pixel 9 Pro.

How to cognize erstwhile you've connected to a atrocious web

Now that you cognize the "why," let's speech astir the "how."

You mightiness deliberation this would beryllium a challenging task, but it's acold easier than you think. All you person to bash is pat an on/off slider and, boom, your Android telephone volition pass you if your telephone oregon tablet connects to an unencrypted (aka "bad") network. Here's how.

Also: Your Android phone's astir almighty information diagnostic is disconnected by default and hidden - crook it connected now

This leafage should look acquainted to anyone who's ventured into the realm of networking connected their Android device.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

The Network procreation enactment should beryllium enabled and grayed out. If it's disabled and you tin alteration it, bash truthful immediately.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You'll besides announcement there's an introduction labeled "Network generation" that is permanently enabled. This enactment prevents you from connecting your instrumentality to a 2G network, which is often utilized to spoof compartment towers utilizing 3G/2G IMSI catchers. If you were to link to an IMSI catcher, it could beryllium utilized for intercepting your mobile telephone postulation and tracking you.

Also: Your Android telephone conscionable got a almighty anti-theft upgrade. Here's what's new

This is simply a precise elemental happening that each Android idiosyncratic should alteration (if it's available). If you don't find the "Network notifications" conception successful the determination arsenic directed above, hunt for it successful your Settings app. If it's not there, marque definite to cheque and spot if the mentation of Android connected your instrumentality tin beryllium upgraded.