Mobile Operating Systems
Introduction
Objective
CompTIA A + (220-1102) Domain:
Domain 1.0: Operating Systems
Domain 2.0: Security
CompTIA A+ (220-1102) Objective:
Objective 1.7: Given a scenario, apply application, installation, and configuration concepts.
Objective 2.7: Explain common methods for securing mobile and embedded devices.
Overview
Android is an operating system that was created by Google and is now developed by the
Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It can be integrated into devices such as tablets and
smartphones. as well as smartwatches, video game consoles, and televisions. This lab is an
introduction to working with mobile operating systems such as Android. You will also
configure Android mobile security features.
outcomes
In this lab, you will learn to:
1
Start up BlueStacks.
2
Work with Google settings
3
Install and removing Android apps
4
Configure local security in Android
Note: The Google Play Store and other parts of this lab are always changing and
some of the screen shots might not exactly match.
Key Term
Description
BlueStacks
An Android emulator that runs in Windows which allows you to use
Android.
App Store
Google Play is the app store for an Android device. This is where you buy
and download apps for use with your mobile device.
Reading Assignment
Introduction
Android is an operating system that was created by Google and is now developed by the
Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It can be integrated into devices such as tablets and
smartphones as well as smartwatches, video game consoles, and smart televisions. This lab is
an introduction to working with mobile operating systems such as Android. You will also
configure Android mobile security features.
In this lab, you will learn to:
Start up BlueStacks.
Work with Google settings.
Install and remove Android apps.
Configure local security in Android.
Figure 1 shows the lab topology for this lab.
What Is BlueStacks?
BlueStacks App Player is an Android emulator that allows users to run Android apps on their
Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. It enables users to access the Google Play Store and
download apps for use on any device.
The BlueStacks App Player offers a full-screen interface that is intuitive and easy to use. It
also allows for multitasking, so users can switch between apps with ease.
Users can also use BlueStacks as a remote control for their TV or media player by connecting
it through High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) or Digital Living Network Alliance
(DLNA).
What Is Android?
Android is an operating system that was created by Google and is now developed by the
Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It can be integrated into devices such as tablets and
smartphones as well as smartwatches, video game consoles, and smart televisions.
Installing and Deleting Apps
To install an app in Android, you will navigate to the Google Play Store, search for the app
you want, and click install. Figure 2 is the start page of BlueStacks, an Android emulator.
To remove an app, you would right-click the app (such as Gmail) and click uninstall. Figure 3
illustrates this process.
Local Security in Android
In this lab, you will explore two apps—Find My Device and NoRoot Firewall.
Find My Device
Find My Device is a Google application to remotely trace, locate, and wipe Android devices if
they get lost or stolen. You will explore this application in this lab.
NoRoot Firewall
The NoRoot Firewall is an Android app that provides a root user with the ability to control
applications’ access to the network. This means that users can block applications from
getting Internet access or they can allow access when the device is on a Wi-Fi connection.
This app is especially useful for those who are looking to monitor their data usage or want
additional protection from malicious apps. You will explore some of the features of the
NoRoot Firewall in this lab.
CONCLUSION:
In this lab, you will use BlueStacks to explore the Android operating system. You will install
and uninstall apps and also work with a couple of local security features you can use to
protect your Android devices.
Starting up BlueStacks
Starting up BlueStacks
You will use an Android emulator called BlueStacks in a Windows 10 environment for this lab.
The next steps will walk you through the Android launcher in the lab environment.
1
Click on the Windows 10 machine in the topology.
2
Click on the Screen Saver to login. Your screen saver might look different.
3
Type
Password1 and press Enter.
Note: The password of Password1 will not be displayed when you type it for
security purposes.
4
Double-click on the BlueStacks icon on the Windows 10 desktop. Wait for
BlueStacks to launch.
5
Click on the My games icon on the top left of the Android screen. You will be taken
to the My games screen where all the apps are loaded in the Android emulator.
6
Click on the Setting menu to be able to manage display, preferences, devices, etc.
CHALLENGE
7
Click on the Close button to go back.
CONCLUSION:
This section explored the BlueStacks environment.
Installing and Deleting Android Apps
One of the basic tasks of using a mobile device is to work with e-mail. In this section, you will
learn how to install and configure an e-mail client.
Installing an E-mail Client
1
Click on the Google Play Store icon which shows the applications available in
Android.
CHALLENGE
Type
in the Search text box and press Enter.
2
3
email
Scroll down and select Gmail.
4
Click on the INSTALL button.
5
Once the Gmail app has been installed and configured. Click on the Back button.
6
Click on X to close the Google Play tab.
Working With an E-mail Client
1
Click on the Gmail icon.
2
Click GOT IT.
3
Click TAKE ME TO GMAIL.
4
Click on the e-mail to view. Your view might look slightly different.
5
You can reply to the message, forward the message, and you can delete it by
selecting the trash can. You can scroll to read the message. Click on X to close the
Gmail app.
Deleting an Android App
1
Right-click on the Gmail icon and click Uninstall.
2
Click on Delete.
CHALLENGE
CONCLUSION:
This section demonstrated installing and deleting Android apps. Also, the lab demonstrated
how to use the Gmail app.
Using Local Security Features in Android
This section will explore the different security features of Android from a user’s perspective.
Installing Find My Device
Google Device Management (GDM) is Android’s way of protecting your device from theft
and other vulnerabilities. You will install Find My Device app to allow GDM to interact with
your device if lost or stolen.
1
Click on the Google Play icon which shows the applications available in Android.
2
Type
find my device in the Search text box. Press Enter.
3
Click on Install to install the application.
4
Once the App is installed, click on X to close Google Play.
5
Click on Find Device icon to launch the application.
6
Click on Continue as Train to login.
7
Type
TrainInfosec1 in the Google password text box.
Note: The password of TrainInfosec1 will not be displayed when you type it for
security purposes.
8
Click on SIGN IN.
9
Click ALLOW to Allow Find My Device to access this device's location?
10
Click on X to close the Find My Device application. The application shows the current
location of the Android device.
Working With Google Device Management
If you have lost or your device was stolen, you can visit the GDM website to lock and
remotely wipe an Android device. You can also use this to locate your device. This is the
personal version of GDM. There is an enterprise version that can be used to track multiple
devices.
CHALLENGE
1
Click on System apps.
2
Click on Browser.
3
In the Google Toolbar, type
find my device - google and hit enter to show the
Google Device Management.
4
Scroll down and click on Google Find My Device.
5
Click on Chrome.
6
Type traininfosec@gmail.com in Email or phone textbox and click Next.
7
Type
TrainInfosec1 in the Google password text box.
Note: The password of TrainInfosec1 will not be displayed when you type it for
security purposes.
8
Click Dismiss.
9
Click on X to close the Browser window. You have the ability to erase your device,
locate your lost device, or lock and erase your device on this web page. You can run
this from any computer. If your screen shows a message about downloading the
app, just close the the browser window.
Installing and Managing the NoRoot Firewall
Like computers, mobile devices are susceptible to hacking. It is recommended just like a
computer to install a local firewall to manage your connections to the outside world. You will
install and manage NoRoot Firewall for your Android device.
1
Click on the Google Play icon.
2
Type
NoRoot Firewall on the Google Search text box. Press Enter.
3
Click on Install to install the firewall.
4
Click Open.
CHALLENGE
5
Click on START to start the firewall.
6
Click on CANCEL. On a real Android device, you would start the firewall and it will
create a VPN for you to use to encrypt all your communication.
7
Click on X to close the NoRoot Firewall.
Note: One other feature is a lock screen password. Please make sure to enable that
on your Android device and also make sure the lock screen password is at least 8
characters with a combination of letters and numbers.
Backup and Restore
The last leg of a security posture is to be able to backup and restore your settings to the
cloud or to the SD card on your device. You will explore how to backup and restore settings.
1
Click on Settings icon to show the settings.
2
Click User data.
3
Click on Create backup.
4
Click on Backup.
5
Click the student folder and click OK. Bluestacks will backup. It may take some time.
To restore the backup, you navigate to Settings and User data. Then, you
click Restore Backup and follow the instructions.
6
Click on X to close the lab window.
Note: Press the STOP button to complete the lab.
CONCLUSION:
This section explored the different security features of Android.
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