Android › Module 3 › Lesson 3
Backup Hygiene for Mobile
Safe backup habits so a wipe does not destroy your life—or restore the malware
Opening
Backup is a safety net with sharp edges
People skip resets because they fear losing photos. Others restore everything—including the trojan. Good mobile backup hygiene separates precious files from executable risk. Plan backups while the phone is healthy.
1. What to Back Up Routinely
Photos & videos
Google Photos / OEM cloud / encrypted disk copy.
Contacts
Synced to your account or exported.
Authenticator recovery codes
Printed or stored offline—not only on the same phone.
Important documents
Passports scans in encrypted storage you control.
2. What Not to Blind-Restore
After malware, avoid restoring full “app + data” backups from unknown timing. Reinstall apps from Play Store fresh. Sign into accounts again carefully with MFA. Keep a simple inventory: which apps matter (bank, mail, chat) so rebuild is fast.
Test restore once
A backup you never tested is a hope, not a plan. Confirm you can open recent photos from cloud/another device.
Knowledge Check
After malware cleanup, safest rebuild approach is:
Multiple choice
Knowledge Check
True or False: Authenticator recovery codes should exist off the phone as well.
True or False
Knowledge Check
Why back up photos before a suspected infection reset?
Multiple choice