The number of free Android apps that seem to be infected with some other malware has increased to 50+.
The names of these apps would give out their malicious nature, but innocent-looking games or apps like chess or quick notes would often be infected with malware.
The danger here is that users won’t think twice before downloading and installing them on their Android.
Below are five tips that would allow you to protect your Android and keep it malware free:
1. Best thing is to research the vendor or publisher providing the application. Try to find more information about them and check the other applications or games under their belt. If the name seems unfamiliar and, at times, shady, it is best to stay away from such apps probably.
2. Reviews would be another way of checking out the authenticity of the application. The reviews in the Android Market might not always serve the purpose, so users are advised to check the online reviews before they download and install new apps on their Android.
3. While installation, Android displays the list of permissions that the application needs to be granted before the installation can proceed. If the application is a game, it shouldn’t ask for permissions for contacts of instant messages. The permissions should indicate the application. If too many licenses are needed which aren’t relevant, the user should skip the installation.
4. Another best bet would be to stay away from directly installing the package files, i.e., APKs, onto the Android. Coming across APKs is often called sideloading. Typically such package files would contain malware that has been introduced by malicious hackers and let loose on the internet for users to install.
5. Finally, an antivirus (for example, free AVG antivirus) or a malware scanner for the phone is not a bad option. This concept is still new, but many vendors have shown promising results, and with malware on the phones on the rise, it is better to pick up a good malware protection solution before it is too late.