Between Apple’s App Store and the Google Play market, users can choose from over 4 billion apps!
While that much choice is exciting, it can also lead to some problems if you’re not careful.
App safety is a must. And in this article, we’ll give you five important tips you can use to stay safe. Make sure to keep reading!
1. Research Before Downloading
You’d think garbage couldn’t possibly get through the cracks of Apple and Google’s approval system, but you’d be wrong. Unfortunately, this means you’ll have to do some extra work and make sure the app you’re about to download is legit.
The easiest way to do so is by doing a quick search online. Most apps should have accompanying websites that lend some credence. And if they don’t, you can still find helpful info out there.
Dosh, for instance, collects information on money-making apps to tell you what’s legit and how to use apps safely. You can learn more about Dosh at the link!
2. Only Download From Trusted Sources
Along those lines, you’ll undoubtedly come across unsafe apps on the web that promise features you won’t find on the app store of your choice.
It seems great, but to get it on your phone, you have to go through a process called sideloading.
Sideloading is pretty simple but comes with some risks. Namely, since you’re loading software from a third-party onto your phone, it’s harder to avoid unsecured apps.
For that reason, your best bet is to stick with your device’s built-in app store.
3. Choose Strong Passwords
Be honest, how many times do you pick the easiest password possible so it’s easier to remember? While this might seem like the biggest no-brainer of our safety tips for using apps, millions of people are guilty of committing the cardinal sin of security.
In fact, the top three passwords are still:
- 123456
- 123456789
- picture1
To make sure you’re using a secure password, make sure it includes lowercase and capital letters, numbers, and a special character like a punctuation mark.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
A great password isn’t always enough to keep skilled hackers out of your device. To keep your data as secure as possible, you’ll need to head into the security tab in the settings menu and select ‘enable two-factor authentication’.
2FA is an extra layer of security that alerts you and sends a special code each time someone (including you) attempts to log into the app. While it does mean taking a few extra seconds to get into your favorite app, it’s a surefire way to avoid app hacks.
5. Keep an Antivirus App Handy
Whether you’re downloading apps on your phone, tablet, or computer, it’s always good to have antivirus software to scan files and monitor incoming traffic.
If you’re on a desktop or laptop, you should be fine with whatever stock software your computer came with.
For phones, you’ll want to stick with the antivirus brands you know like Norton or Avast.
App Safety Tips to Keep Your Devices Secure
App safety is only going to become more important as technology advances, so make sure to follow these tips carefully. Your data can easily fall into the wrong hands, so feel free to come back and consult this list anytime.
For more info on data security, make sure to check back with our tech blog for more!