NEW DELHI (Monitoring Desk)—Smartphone users often need to add new applications to their devices. However, determining which apps might be a security risk can prove difficult. Cybersecurity experts offer valuable advice to help users make safer choices.
Avoid the Third-Party App Stores
The first and most important tip by experts cited in the Times of India is not downloading apps from third-party app stores or websites. If you must download from a third-party source, go for established stores like Amazon App Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.
Look at Privacy Policies and Terms of Service
Before installing any application, it is critical to review its privacy policy or terms of service. Only accept if you understand how the app manages your data. Ensure that the app you want to install does not collect user data from other entities for sale purposes.
Read through Reviews and Check Download Numbers
Always read user reviews and check out the number of downloads before installing an app. Apps with positive feedback and lots of downloads are more likely to be trustworthy. Reviews may give insights into the app’s reliability and possible security problems that may arise.
Watch Out for Too Many Permissions
The professionals caution against applications that needlessly ask permission to use your location, phone gallery, microphone or camera. For instance, while social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok may require access to a microphone or camera to take videos, many others do not need such permissions upon installation; thus, extra caution should be observed when dealing with these kinds of apps during installation.
Unnecessary Permissions Will Lead To Trouble
Even if one denies access permissions, some applications will find ways to utilize the phone’s microphone camera. Therefore, one should avoid installing apps requiring unnecessary access to devices’ functions and devices’ settings, regardless of whether an application always needs specific permissions related to its operation.
To make your smartphone more secure, always follow experts’ advice on third-party app stores, review privacy policies and terms of service carefully, read user reviews, and be cautious about excessive permissions. These precautions can help prevent your phone’s security and personal data from being compromised considerably.
