How to check an app is safe to download

Here's a list of just a few of the most common:. I was late to the game in terms of smartphones, so when I finally got one I felt a bit overwhelmed when it came to installing apps. Recommendations from friends helped, and the first thing I did was install some highly touted security software. Free apps are always my favorites, but I've come across more than one that sounds good in terms of what it can do, but it had horrible reviews with complaints about the permissions.

Luckily I've never gotten burnt by a malicious app, but I know people who have. I'd like to think that most app developers are just trying to make a good product and make money, but as with most things there are always a few bad eggs.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Computer Software. Other Software. Apps are shiny and appealing little bits of software, but beware: They're not all trustworthy.

Steps to Safe Apps The first step to making sure that your apps are safe is to download security software. Permission to Do What? Network communication: full Internet access -- this often related to ads too; the app needs to access the Internet to download the ads. Your location: coarse network-based location -- many games with ads require this so it can deliver targeted ads. System tools: prevent device from sleeping -- usually means that when you're using the app, it will keep your phone from going to sleep or in a power save mode.

Your personal information: read contact data -- any social media or messaging app needs to access your contact information so you can use them with your friends. We said it above, but we'll repeat it: Be sure to use common sense… you know, your gut. If the app looks a bit off, don't download it. If something seems suspicious, it's more than likely that it is.

Don't ruin your phone, PC, or Mac for an app you think you can't live without. Remember, there are sure to be alternatives — Find them. Hopefully, this has given you a decent idea of how to figure out if an application is safe to use. Be sure to ask yourself the questions at the bottom of each point in order to make sure you're spending time, money, and trust in the right applications for you.

How To. Hit Return or Enter to search. How to tell if an app is safe to install? Igor Degtiarenko. Writer and blogger at MacPaw, curious just about everything. Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe Now. September 28, Updated: September 13, CleanMyMac X. Free Download. These might also interest you:. October 12, Subscribe to know first Our delivery owl will bring you our best deals and news about MacPaw apps. Thanks for signing up!

Now, please check your email. MacPaw uses cookies to personalize your experience on our website. Henein says this would look like a terms of service agreement that says "by browsing this webpage you agree to A, B and C. What a policy agreement says about data collection is another important factor to consider before hitting download, according to Engin Kirda, a professor at Northeastern University's Khoury College of Computer Sciences.

Going hand in hand with this is how the app makes money, Kirda said -- particularly if it's free to download. Monetizing an app with ads can mean it's providing a better service, but it can also mean that it's profiting by selling your data. There's a difference between collecting some necessary information to help the app be useful versus collecting lots of information that is sold to third-party advertisers -- or could potentially be stolen.

While it's important to know what's in a policy agreement, Kirda said there are other red flags you can spot without reading the document. Another major red flag is what permissions an app requests: For example, a calculator app doesn't need access to your microphone or location.

Also, pay attention to whether you can use the app after denying any permissions, he added. Asking for unnecessary permissions can signal nefarious activity like an app having access to your call logs or gathering data from your Wi-Fi connections , for example.

Michiel de Jong, one of the volunteers at Terms of Service; Didn't Read -- a grassroots project where anybody can help collaboratively review the terms and policies of any website -- said it's important to see that a policy won't be allowed to change at random.

In addition, de Jong said to be on the lookout for sites that make you sign a class action waiver -- which means they can sue you, but you can't sue them. To help you grapple with the legal jargon of service agreements and privacy policies, Henein suggested downloading the Terms of Service; Didn't Read browser extension, which digests the documents that might be asking for your compliance and turn them into something quick and readable.

In addition to the class score, contributors can rate sections of the terms as Good, Bad, Blocker or Neutral. Of course, some people leave reviews like these sincerely.

The main thing to look for is quantity. If there are a lot of short, similar-looking reviews, they may have been copy-pasted in, or generated by a bot. Lastly, scammers are not known for their excellent customer service. If the developer is replying to comments, this is a good sign that the app is legit. Especially if they are trying to help people with their complaints.

Spelling and grammar issues don't always mean an app is dangerous. It might just mean the creator's writing skills aren't as high as their programming skills. Keyword-stuffing is a more reliable red flag. An honest developer will put keywords into the sentence naturally. If the text starts listing search terms rather than describing the product, that's a red flag.

You should also beware of enthusiastic but unspecific descriptions. Broad promises to solve all your problems, or to run perfectly all the time are rarely true. A trustworthy app can name specific features and explain how they add to your experience. Scammers are more likely to generalize.

If the app offers in-app purchases or subscription plans, it should provide even more detail. If the description doesn't tell you what specific perks your payment will get you, it's a red flag.

Similarly, apps that don't provide details on what their app can do might be hiding something. Be cautious when the description is vague. Start by looking at the release date. If an app isn't only a year or two old but has millions of downloads, this is a huge red flag.

It's likely the numbers are artificially inflated. Malicious developers do this by using bots or fake accounts to download their app over and over.