How to protect your Android Device from Malware
Jul 2, 2012 Android Development Resources
With thousands of apps in the Google Play Store, it’s quite a task to identify the good apps from the ones which could infect your phone. There may be a few applications which look fishy but many of the others look quite ordinary and it would not be easy to identify them as malware.
Here are a few steps which can be taken as precautions before downloading an Android application.
• Research the publisher/developer of the app. Visit developer’s website and also browse through the other applications which have been developed by them.
• Check out the reviews the app has received from other users and app review websites. Though some of the reviews in the Google Play Store might not be authentic, it will prove to be a bit helpful.
• Do not download an application from an unofficial and untrusted source such as forums or third part websites. The best way to be safe is to download apps from official sources such as Amazon AppStore, Google Play, App Brain and other such sources.
• Most importantly, download Android Package files (APKs) from trusted sources only. If you find that the source looks a little suspicious, avoid downloading the APKs.
• Always read the app permissions. If you find anything fishy, such as a simple app requesting to access contacts or your messages, then you need to stay away from such apps.
• Download an antivirus application for your phone and update the antivirus software regularly. Some antivirus apps which you can consider using as protection for your Android phone are AVG Antivirus, Norton Security and Antivirus, Lookout Security & Antivirus, NetQin Security & Anti-virus.
Tags: android applications, android apps, android developers, android development, Android Device, Android malware, Android Phone