Apps can bring more usability and agility to our daily lives. However, it’s important to be careful when downloading an app to your phone. App stores like the Google Play Store are constantly improving their security. However, people can sometimes install apps containing malware on their phones. These apps somehow get past the Play Store security because their developers are always finding ways to bypass the security. To save your device from these malicious applications, and see if app is real or fake, you need to know what to look for. Here are the 7 best ways to see if the app is safe before downloading it to your Android device.
Reviews and Ratings
In general, popular apps have customer reviews and ratings. Before you download an app, you should have an idea of whether the application is reliable and safe based on these reviews. By choosing well-rated software apps with positive reviews, you will be protected from malware apps. But sometimes bad developers post fake reviews on their apps. Fake reviews are usually short, enthusiastic comments that encourage users to download the app. So click on some filters and see what people are complaining about and do a bit of research and check if the app is legit.
Check App History Of Updates
Make sure the app you download is up-to-date, if it is out of date it could be more vulnerable to malware or security vulnerabilities. Also, don’t miss the last updated section of the app. If the developer has not updated the app for a long time, then it’s also a red flag. Also, older apps may not be compatible with newer devices and may not provide the support or security that is required.
Read the App Description
Apps developers that don’t give details in the description section about what their apps can do may be hiding something. Be careful if the description is very little and unclear. An authentic developer would put the keywords smoothly in sentences and won’t do keyword stuffing. If the text starts showing search terms instead of product descriptions, that’s a red flag. Spelling and grammar mistakes do not always mean that an application is harmful. A broad promise to fix everything or always work flawlessly is rare. Trusted apps can mention specific features and explain how they help your experience.
Pay Attention to App Permissions
Permissions requested by applications must be meaningful, and relevant to their functionality. If an app asks for a device permission that isn’t making sense, be careful. Avoid apps that ask for particularly dangerous permissions. For instance, if a photo-editing app asks for access to your phonebook, location, or microphone, that’s a red flag.
Download Count
If an app has millions of downloads, and it is months or just a year old, you should be careful then. Numbers can be artificially inflated. Developers increase their app download count by using bots & fake accounts to download it multiple times. If a developer has a very low number of apps but the download numbers are ridiculous, that’s suspicious. It’s also a red flag if they have multiple applications but the only noticeable difference is the app name or icon color. High download rates from unknown developers/publishers are not a good sign.
Google the Developer / App
If a new app gets tens of thousands of downloads in a few months, it will almost certainly be featured on the news or you may find tech blogs touting its success. Search on Google about the developer and see if he has been in the news for a recent scandal. You can also find clues by looking at the developer’s other apps. It’s also a red flag if they have multiple applications but the only noticeable difference is the icon name or color.
Don’t Download From Third-Party Stores
All devices come with some pre-installed apps in a phone, so if you want to install additional apps, be sure to download apps from official stores like Play Store for Android and the Apple App Store for iOS. Downloading and installing apps from unauthorized sources is not recommended as they may contain viruses or malicious apps that can be used against you or steal your data. Be extra careful when downloading apps from other uncertified stores or any other third-party platforms.