Now that more people are using smartphones and tablet computers, the hackers and malware developers are working overtime to get into that market and make some cash with malware. The Android Marketplace has been in the news all year regarding the fact that a lot of the apps actually contain malware and some experts are calling for more strict guidelines when it comes to the mobile app approval process. The Android operating system is an easy target because it is open source and is one of the leading smartphone platforms available today. Malware developers will go where all the people are and they are all currently running Android OS.
Malware can not only wreak havoc on your day, but it can also cost you a lot of money. Malware is typically a process or program that is running in the background without you knowing and collecting information from you in hopes of using it in some illegal way. With a couple simple moves you can at least do your part to protect you from things like this ruining your mobile experience.
Always be aware of what you are downloading and installing. Many people are rushed through the download and install process, which can land you in a very bad position. By the time you have malware installed it is way too late to look back on what you missed in the process.
Read reviews, double check others that have downloaded the app before you. Doing your homework can save you a ton of problems before it’s too late. Usually if you know a person that has downloaded the app before you, you can trust that it is not full of malware. If they speak up about malware, you might want to find another app.
Always check where the app is coming from. The Apple App Store and Android Marketplace are trustworthy places to download apps, but there are also approved third-party app stores on the Web. Make sure you know where your app is coming from before downloading.
Mobile apps use permissions to access parts of your smartphone operating system, so you should keep an eye on what the app can access. And lastly, you can use a service called Antimalware to help you detect what apps could have malware attached to them, saving you time and money in the long run.
