Android: what are dangerous applications? How to detect them?

Android is undoubtedly a great operating system. But as with all things it also has its problems. In fact, one of the biggest is the number of fake applications that continue to increase and are even present on the Play Store. Even though they look like real apps and can even do some things, they have another side. This way they can steal data or even damage your smartphone. Fortunately, there are some things that allow us to discover dangerous applications on Android and thus avoid problems.

Android: what are dangerous applications? How to detect them?

What are dangerous applications?

We can consider a dangerous Android application as a program designed to appear legitimate but is actually malware. They are generally available in unofficial stores or websites, but they can also be found on the Google Play Store as mentioned above. They usually have very attractive names so that they seem very useful.

However, when we install any of these applications and try to use it, we quickly realize that it doesn’t do anything. Or in some cases it even does something while stealing our data in the background.

However, these apps stand out for asking for permissions that are much higher than what they actually need. For example, if we install a flashlight app it’s strange that it asks for access to our contact list, device storage or even text messages. The same goes for location. In other words, a simple installation can create a lot of problems.

How can we find out?

Now that we know what fake Android apps are and how they work, we need to learn how to detect them. Please note that detecting a fake Android application is not always easy, but it is possible to find out.

The app has bad reviews

When searching for an app on the Google Play Store, pay attention to reviews and ratings. If an app has mostly negative reviews or a low rating, it is possibly a fake app. Of course there will always be some people who don’t like a certain app, but if the majority of reviews are negative, it’s best to stay away from it.

The app has a generic icon

Another thing to look for is the application icon. A fake app will often have a generic or unprofessional icon. If the icon looks like it was made in a hurry or doesn’t fit in with the rest of the app, it’s probably not a legitimate app.

The app has spelling or grammatical errors

When looking at an app’s description, pay attention to the language used. If there are many spelling or grammatical errors, the application is likely to be fake. This is because legitimate applications are often made by professional programmers and others who take care to review descriptions.

Check the programmer’s name

If you’re not sure about an app, one of the best things you can do is look up the developer’s name. A quick Google search should reveal whether it has a good reputation or not. If there are no results or the results are mostly negative, it is best to avoid the application.

See permissions

When you install an app, you will be asked to grant permission to access different parts of your smartphone. Before doing so, look at the permissions the app is asking for and be wary of any app that asks for more permissions than it needs. A simple calculator app asking for permission to access your camera is obviously suspicious.

Use common sense

Finally, using your common sense when downloading applications is always important. If an application sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are ever in doubt, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid application altogether.