Installing an app on a phone has become like a daily thing. In fact your phone will not be a good companion if it has no apps.
If you have children, the situation is even different. They could install an app on your phone without your knowledge.
While apps make phone usage interesting, there are issues with it that you have to avoid. Your phone is like a personal vault and there are many private information in there that you would want to protect.
This is why you have to take some precaution and also teach your children same for them to know the need for safety.
Your bank details, BVN, home address and your pictures are on your phone. Also, it contains pictures of your family members and friends and other very vital information.
Each time you add an application, chances are that it will request access to some of these private information.
Some apps could contain malware that could bridge your privacy and also put the phone at risk of virus.
They could even affect your battery.
You wouldn’t want to wake up someday and then your bank details are in the hands of a stranger.
To guard against such misfortune, you need to know a few things before installing an app on your phone.
1. App Reviews
The culture of reading is dying. However, when it comes to installing apps on your phone, please, make it a habit to read.
You should take few minutes to go through what people have said about the app. These are often genuine concerns or love that people express about the app and it will help you know how good it is.
Reviews are down there when you scroll down the moment you open the app to install.
Apps without reviews are apps that have not been tried. It is not advisable that you be among the first persons that will try an app except you have checked for other things.
Read the negative reviews more so that you will find out the bad things about the app.
2. Number Of Downloads Or Installs
If the number of downloads that an app has is available, it gives you insight into how many persons have this app on their phones.
It is important because it means that the larger the number the safer it is to try the app out.
3. App Rating
Also, before installing an app, check out how much rating an app has. This gives you insight into what people think about the app.
The higher the rating the better it is to consider installing the app.
The ratings are often displayed as numbers by the side of the tiny stars you see close to the app’s logo when you want to install.
4. Source Of App
This one could be tricky. While it is important to ensure that you get your apps from an app store on your mobile device, it is also good to be careful.
Indeed, that an app is in app store does not mean installing the app on your phone is safe.
It is good to look at the earlier mentioned screening necessities.
5. App Permissions
Most importantly, to protect your private data on your phone, find out what an app you are installing can access.
Do not just allow app access to your phone contact if you do not see the need for the app to have access to that.
What function the app performs should determine what it has access to on your phone.
You Should Check Out: Canva For Beginners: Simple Image Editing Skill [VIDEO]
Tap the ‘Read More’ at the end where you have the features and then scroll down to App Permissions and then touch the ‘See More’ link to see more of what the app needs to access on your phone.
Most importantly, touching ‘Allow’ is not something you should do without reading some of the these things about these apps.
6. Google Play Protect
Before you install an app, make sure that your play protect is on. This function, which is always enabled on default, serves as Android’s defender.
It scans apps when you download then and lets you know whether the app is safe or not.
When it finds a malware, it will also alert you.
7. Find Out The Developer Before Installing An App
This is strictly for credibility sake. Knowing a little about who the developer and vendor of the app are will improve your trust for the app.
See if there is a website that is added to the app and check the website out for policies around privacy.
See what they do with information they collect. Although, it is what they want you to know they will drop.
You can also check online to see if the company has been sued for violation of privacy before.
This gives you more insight into who is serving you app.
Considering these things before installing any app is important because it helps ensure your private information is safe.
