The digital world is awash with mobile apps. Together, Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store offer over 8.9 million apps, with the majority being free. Whether it’s shopping, gaming, connecting with friends, or working on the move, there’s likely an app out there that can help with whatever you need.
With just a few taps and a simple “Install” command, you can swiftly engage in activities like sharing photos, managing expenses, tracking your fitness journey, learning a new language, and more. However, while convenient, mobile devices can be susceptible to malware, which poses a significant risk to your personal data and even your business’ sensitive information.
Sometimes, implementing basic precautions can deter threat actors from gaining access to sensitive data stored on your mobile devices, data that may otherwise be vulnerable to theft through malware. Here are five ways to stay safe when downloading apps:
1. Download apps from legitimate, trusted sources
Today, the most prominent app stores include the Apple Store, Google Play, and Samsung Galaxy Store, offering millions of apps across a broad spectrum of categories. This diversity ensures that regardless of your preferences, you’re unlikely to face a shortage of options.
However, you might come across an app of interest that’s exclusively available through an unfamiliar website or app store. While this doesn’t necessarily imply an imminent scam or security breach, it’s important to note that cybercriminals often utilise apps as a vector for distributing malware, frequently targeting third-party app stores and websites.
Regrettably, some of these platforms lack robust security measures and fail to verify the safety of the apps they host. Moreover, certain malicious actors establish websites explicitly designed to disseminate malware through app downloads.
Equally important to recognise is that malicious apps can infiltrate even the most reputable and trusted app stores. While these platforms strive to detect and remove suspicious apps, the time gap between an app’s release and its eventual removal can extend from days to months or even years, providing ample opportunity to infect thousands or even millions of devices.
2. Pay attention to the app permissions
Many apps will request specific permissions on your device, such as access to your camera for taking photos, the gallery for media editing, or your contact list for making calls.
Common permissions requested by apps include access to:
- Contacts
- Photo Gallery
- Location
- Calendar
- Browsing history
- Microphone
- Camera
- Storage
- Calls
While many apps legitimately require these permissions to function properly, some may misuse these access rights. For instance, a malicious app might request access to your emails or text messages, potentially extracting valuable data. Alternatively, an app may request location access and misuse it to track your movements without your awareness.
Therefore, whenever an app requests any form of permission, exercise caution. Ensure that the app is trustworthy, and carefully consider whether the permissions it is asking for pose any potential risks. Permissions related to your camera, microphone, browsing history, and contacts, in particular, should be approached with caution.
3. Check out the user reviews
Whether you’re buying a new pair of shoes, selecting an antivirus programme, or considering an app download, it’s essential to take a look at reviews.
Fortunately, many well-known app stores provide users with the opportunity to review the applications they’ve installed, allowing them to share their experiences, whether positive or negative. These reviews serve as valuable insights that can greatly influence your decision when it comes to granting an app access to your device. Therefore, it’s crucial to make it a habit to check these reviews before proceeding with the installation.
Should you encounter an app with predominantly negative reviews, it might indicate issues with its design, data management, battery usage, permissions, or other concerning aspects. These red flags should be taken seriously and could signify a potentially dubious or malicious app.
In cases where the app store’s review page lacks sufficient information, you can also search for app reviews through your web browser. However, it’s important to note that even if an app boasts mainly positive reviews, this doesn’t guarantee complete safety. Some developers are adept at concealing illicit activities, and it can take considerable time for cybersecurity experts to identify any wrongdoing.
4. Take note of the download numbers
Popular apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, boast staggering download numbers, sometimes reaching into the billions. However, not every app reaches these heights. There are many safe and valuable apps with limited downloads, often due to being new or lacking widespread recognition. Yet, this lower download count can also raise concerns.
When an app hasn’t been used and reviewed by a significant user base, it’s hard to predict its behaviour once installed on your device. Therefore, if you find yourself interested in a specific app but notice that it has garnered only a few installations and reviews, it might be best to wait a few weeks and revisit it once it has gained more users and feedback.
5. Keep an eye on your device’s performance and behaviour
If you’ve downloaded an app and notice unusual behaviour on your device, there’s a possibility you’re dealing with something malicious. Malicious apps don’t always exhibit symptoms, but when they do, these can manifest in various ways.
For instance, if you observe that your device’s battery is depleting significantly faster than usual after installing a specific app, it might be an indicator that the app has introduced malware, such as spyware, which runs persistently and consumes battery life.
Furthermore, a malicious app can lead to deteriorating device performance, frequent freezes, and crashes. If these issues start occurring only after you’ve downloaded a particular app, it’s plausible that the app itself is the culprit.
It’s essential to note that not all battery- or performance-intensive apps are inherently malicious. Some legitimate apps, especially those that require constant background operation, may also demand substantial power resources.
In a nutshell
Whether you’re in search of a fresh shopping app, exploring a different social media platform, or just browsing the app store, it’s crucial to be vigilant about recognising the indicators of suspicious and malicious apps. This vigilance helps protect against data breaches, surveillance, and other potential risks.
