Tips & Tutorials

Get Spam Protection with this Google Phone App

Spam calls have always burdened cell phone owners. Everyone has experienced a random number calling them asking for their time or money. Luckily, Google has invented a method to filter out these calls and inform you when you are being contacted by an unwanted number.

The free application is called “Google Phone App.” The Google Phone App is updating to include this new feature that will help ward off spam callers. Version 4.0 and above include the spam protection. You need to ensure that you have caller ID enabled in your settings, and your operating system must be Marshmallow.

Read More: Your Guide to Controlling Your Permissions on Android

When you receive a phone call from a number that your phone finds suspicious, the banner behind the caller’s name will flash red and read “suspected spam caller.”

Make sure your Caller ID and spam protection is turned on
This is an important first step to help shield yourself from spam.

  1. Open up your Phone app.
  2. Tap on more options.Some phones denote this option with 3 vertical dots.
  3. Click on “Caller ID and spam protection.”
  4. Make sure this feature is turned on.

Marking calls as spam calls
Sometimes some spam calls slip through the cracks and reach your phone unfiltered. Here’s how to change that.

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Go to recent calls.
  3. Select the phone number you wish to mark as spam.
  4. Click on “Block/report spam.” You’ll then be asked for confirmation about blocking the number.
  5. Some phones have the option to “report call as spam.” Click this as well.
  6. Click “block.”

Correcting for a mistake in spam correction
Sometimes your phone will mistakenly mark one of your friendly contacts as spam. This is an easy fix.

  1. Open the phone app.
  2. Click on “Recent Calls.”
  3. Click on the phone number that was accidentally marked as spam.
  4. Select “not spam.”

Reporting a mistake in caller ID details
While caller ID is a relatively old technology, it is far from perfect. Caller ID has been known to convey misinformation about some phone numbers. Here’s how to correct for this.

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Click on “recent calls.”
  3. Tap on the cell phone number that had the wrong information.
  4. Click on “Call Details.”
  5. Select “Report inaccurate number.”

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The dfndr blog is an informative channel that presents exclusive content on security and privacy in the mobile and business world, with tips to keep users protected. Populated by a select group of expert reporters, the channel has a partnership with dfndr lab's security team. Together they bring you, first-notice news about attacks, scams, internet vulnerabilities, malware and everything affecting cybersecurity.

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