Ive just startee getting into privacy, but i had a few questions.

  1. I havent switched operating system yet due to fear of losing my data. I have a lot of pictures, contacts and messages i dont want to go missing. I have a one plus and i really love it. I do not want a pixel phone. Is there a way i can maintain privacy without changing phones?
  2. If i delete google play services, will my phone not work correctly?
  3. I have been replacing my apps with open source apps, is that helpful?
  4. What vpn should i use? I have malewarebytes.
  • ☂️-@lemmy.ml
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    1 month ago

    antivirus software is, most of the time, spyware.

    it shouldnt be needed on android anyway, if you keep it updated and don’t sideload stuff.

    • pandorabox@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 month ago

      Yikesss. Ill discontinue it. I definitely got a few viruses on my computer back in the day. And i sail the high seas from time to time, so i dont want to get any foolishness from that.

      I also do not update my device on time. Usually when i updaye my phone or windows computer, something be wrong with it for several weeks, so ive stopped updating them until it force updates. Do you why that is?

      • ☂️-@lemmy.ml
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        1 month ago

        quality control on these updates are honestly on a downhill. especially on windows and some android manufacturers (looking at you, samsung).

        they are still necessary to keep your computing safe though, but you don’t need to install them immediatly. i usually wait a bit until they had time to retract them if they break something big.

        • pandorabox@lemmy.worldOP
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          1 month ago

          Makes sense, i always ignore them until necesary. My cousin alwat told me to never let the computer update. Hes a programmer and i didnt know why.😭

          How often do they update another android distros like graphene and lineage? Like at similar intervals?