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Biometrics and Security

Face Recognition

 

Face recognition allows you to unlock your phone using your face!

  1. From Settings, click on Security and Privacy > Biometrics > Face recognition.
  2. Tap Continue. You will need to set up a secure Lock Screen before you are able to set up Face recognition.
  3. Hold the phone about 12 inches or so away, then position your face inside the circle. Hold the position until the progress bar reaches 100%. You may be prompted to remove face coverings or glasses to continue with this process.
  4. When you’re done, adjust your settings, and then click OK.

Face Recognition Settings

 

  • Remove face data:

    This option will allow you to delete the current face recognition data thats currently being stored

  • Add alternative appearance to enhance recognition:

    This option will allow you to have alternate appearances if you frequently change your hair, makeup, and other aspects of appearance

  • Face unlock:

    This feature will unlock your phone when it recognizes your face

  • Stay on Lock screen until swipe:

    when this is on you must swipe to open your phone even if your face has been recognized

  • Faster recognition:

    This will improve the speed of the phones recognition software speed but your phone is less secure when this is on. There is a possibility of a picture or video of you incorrectly being recognized as your face

  • Require open eyes:

    Your eyes must be open for face recognition to work. That way your phone can’t open while you’re sleeping

  • Brighten screen:

     The screen brightness will increase while your phone is trying to recognize your face which is helpful in the dark

  • Samsung Pass:

    Use face recognition to verify your identity with the Internet app and other supported apps

Fingerprints

 Set up Fingerprints

  1. go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Biometrics > Fingerprints.
  2. Put in your screen lock code (pattern or password). If you haven’t set up a passcode for your Lock Screen, you may be asked to create one. When you’re ready, hit Continue.
  3. Follow the prompts to register your fingerprint. When registering your fingerprint, make sure to cover the fingerprint sensor in its entirety. This prevents strong light from entering the fingerprint sensor. When you’re finished, click Done.
  4. Next, be sure that the switch next to Fingerprint unlock is switched on.
    Note: With some models the fingerprint sensor is on or below the Side key instead of on the screen. If this is the case, you may want to disable the “Fingerprint always on” switch to prevent accidental unlocks.
  5. When you want to unlock your phone the fingerprint scanner, tap on the screen or press the Power key or Side key. Then, place the finger(s) that you set up on the scanner. Now your phone will unlock with your fingerprint.

  • Add a finger

    If you want to add any additional fingers fingerprint unlock just click on “add a finger” and follow the steps above.

  • Check added fingerprints

    If you want to check to see which finger was added and what name you assigned to it, you can scan your finger here and a prompt will tell you

  • Fingerprint unlock

    Switch this on and off if you would like to use your registered finger prints or not

  • Fingerprint always on

    With this feature you can scan your finger print even when the screen is off. If the side key is your fingerprint scanner, it might be helpful to keep this off to prevent accidental unlocks

  • Show icon when screen is off

    From here you can make sure the finger print scanner is displayed even when the screen is off. You can choose between Always on Display (AOD must be turned on for this to work), Tap to show (you must tap the screen to show the fingerprint scanner), or Never (the fingerprint scanner will never show even when the screen is on)

  • Show animation when unlocking

    This will create a wave of circles around the fingerprint scanner when you unlock your phone

More Biometrics Settings

 

Show unlock transition effect

This is a very subtle setting but with this on when you unlock your phone it does a very brief zoom in effect

Biometrics security patch

Here you can see if there has been any updates to biometrics security. It is very important that you keep this updated but this will usually update with your phones software updates so as long as you keep your phone up to date you should be ok. It never hurts to check though.

Security

 

Google Play Protect

Google play protect is a malware scanner for your android phone. It is good to keep this on because androids have an open app store which for security means that you are at the risk of downloading third party apps from the internet that are not trusted sources. If you download the wrong app it has the potential to take over and compromise your entire phone.

Note:  A sign that you may have downloaded a malicious app is continuous pop up notifications. Try to stay away from apps that claim to clean your phone as these are usually malicious apps. Also some weather apps, messaging apps, and home apps are usually malware disguised as useful on the surface.

If you are concerned you can always go to the google play protect setting and click Scan to see if the apps you currently have installed are safe.

Security Update

This will take you to the screen to download any recent software updates which include security patches for your phone. It is very important to stay up do date with these because if there is a security patch it means that someone found a loop hole in the software that an attacker can use to compromise your phone.

To update manually go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Updates > Security Update then click schedule install or install now to keep your phones software/security patches up to date.

Google Play system update

This will update Google play. When you do this or any other update your phone will restart.

Find My Mobile

With Find My Mobile on you can find your device in the event that is was lost or stolen. You can use another device such as a friend or family members phone, tablet, or computer and go to https://findmymobile.samsung.com to locate your device. Note: You need to know your Samsung Account email and password in order to log in from another device. Make sure you write your password down and keep it somewhere safe (do not keep your passwords on your phone or any electronic device).

Remote unlock

With this on you can remotely unlock your device in the event that you forget your passcode to unlock your phone. Again, you need to know your Samsung account email and password to be able to do this or at the very least have access to the email that you are using on your Samsung account.

Send last location

When your battery falls to a certain level, your phone will automatically send its last location to the Find My Mobile server. This is helpful if your phone was lost or stolen in the unfortunate event that your battery is also dangerously low.

Offline finding

Even if your phone is dead or powered off you will still be able to track the location of your device.

Samsung Pass

Samsung Pass allows you to use biometrics data to unlock your phone and apps on your phone so you don’t have to continuously enter your passwords. This allows for easy access and navigation through your phone and the apps on your phone. You can also set up your phone to start your car, unlock doors, and show ID using Samsung pass. If you need help setting up Samsung pass click Here. 

Secure Folder

With your secure folder you can keep photos and videos password protected

Secure Wi-Fi

To prevent attackers from gaining access to your phone and to prevent tracking apps and keep your internet browsing private and secure you can allow this feature when you’re using a public Wi-Fi connection that isn’t trusted. You automatically get 1024 MB for free but you can purchase a subscription plan that will give you more data on secure Wi-Fi by subscribing in this setting for $1.99 per month.

  • Protection Plan

Here you can see your current secure Wi-Fi protection plan

  • Protection Activity

This will show you the amount of time that you’ve used secure Wi-Fi

  • Auto Protect Wi-Fi

With auto protect Wi-Fi on you can automatically connect to secure Wi-Fi when your phone connects to a public Wi-Fi

Private Share

Private Share is a private file sharing feature so you can share your data without the event of your privacy being invaded and your content being lost in the hands of someone else. When you send any files you wish to keep private/secure with Private Share, your files will be encrypted, and you will be able to set permissions and expiration dates for the data you’re sending and grant read-only access. 

Samsung Blockchain Keystore

With this feature you can keep your cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) private keys and wallets secure. For more on Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology see Crypto Page

Install Unknown Apps

With this setting you will be able to install unknown apps from the internet. 

Note: It is highly recommended that you keep this feature Off unless you are certain of the level of security of the app you are downloading. You will only need to utilize this feature in very specific situations and it is not recommended for most Samsung users.

Other Security Settings

 

Set Up SIM Card Lock

 

  • Lock Sim Card

This setting will allow you to lock your SIM card which can be helpful to prevent SIM Swap Attack. This occurs when someone takes the physical SIM card out of your phone and puts it in another phone. This is dangerous because if SIM card is put in an unlocked phone, the attacker will have access to your phone number which can be used to change account passwords and steal personal information, data, and finances. Just Enter a pin number to turn this feature on.

Note: Anytime you take your SIM card out and put it back in your phone or a new phone, or when your phone shuts off or disconnects from service, you will be asked to put in your SIM pin which is different from your lock screen code. Make sure if you turn this on you do not forget your code. If you think you might forget it Do Not keep your SIM pin in your notes or on other apps/files on your phone. If your SIM pin is in your phone you will not be able to access it.

  • Change SIM Card PIN

Click on this feature to change your current SIM pin

Make Passwords Visible

This will show the characters of your passwords when you type in your passwords instead of hiding it. Although this might be easier it is far less secure.

Device Admin Apps

Device admin apps allow the customization of access on your phone. This is mostly beneficial to employers who give their employees devices used specifically for work related purposes. They can cut off access to the play store, the use of third party apps, internet access etc.

Note: This feature may not be as useful to the average user and some malicious apps when downloaded can be found active in this setting. Make sure that if this is your personal phone that there are no admin apps activated unless they are trusted apps and you personally set them up as admin apps.

Credential Storage

 

Security Certificates

Security Certificates tell the owner of their phone if a website or app is trusted and if your data/information is safe on that platform. Note: You generally should not disable or remove certificates unless you have information that the app/website has been deemed untrustworthy. It may be best to leave these features alone unless you have a specific and educated reason to do so.

Install from device storage

From here you can install certificates from storage. Note: Again, unless you have a very specific and educated reason for doing so you should not install any certificates manually on your device. This could give the wrong person/organization access to all of your data/personal information.

Clear Credentials

This removes all certificates from your device. Note: Unless you have a specific reason for doing this it is best to ignore these settings.

Trust Agents

 

Bixby Routines

Bixby Routines allows your phone to adapt and make suggestions based on location, time, event etc. An example of some suggestions include saving battery life if you forget to charge your phone while you’re sleeping, or suggesting maps when you connect to your cars bluetooth in addition to other adaptive features. You may customize these settings or let your phone do its thing but you must create a Samsung account and allow your phone to analyze your usage patterns.

Smart Lock (Google)

You can turn off/on the smart lock setting from here. For more information on Smart Lock and how to set it up click Here.

Pin Windows

Pin Windows is a great feature that allows you to hand your phone to someone to allow them to use a specific app without going into other areas of your phone. This is especially useful with children if you want to give them your phone to play a game or watch you tube but don’t want them exiting out of the app and finding their way into an unintended area of your phone.

How to use Pin Windows
  1. Open your phone settings and head to Security and Privacy.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of your screen, and then open Other Security Settings or Advanced Security Settings.
  3. Here, you’ll find the option to toggle on or off the Pin Windows feature.
  4. To turn Pin Windows on, tap the toggle.
  5. To prevent the Pin Windows feature from being easily switched off, select the Pin windows option and then ensure that Ask for PIN before unpinning is switched on.
Turn Pin Windows on within an App
  1. Open the app you want to pin. In this example, I’ve used Netflix.
  2. Next, select the Recents button at the bottom left of your screen. This button will open all of your recent apps. On some phones, you can access your recent apps by swiping up from the bottom of your screen.
  3. Then, tap the App icon, in this case the Netflix logo, and you’ll see a couple of options appear.
  4. Select Pin this app.

Security Policy Updates

This feature will allow your phone to automatically stay updated with the most recent security policy. It is recommended that you keep this feature on. You can also manually update your phones security policy from Here.

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