How to Check If an App Is Safe Before Installing
Thousands of smartphone users download apps in Bangladesh every day. The only way to protect yourself is to know how to check if an app is safe. Malware, spyware and fake apps can steal your personal information, compromise your accounts or expose your financial details.
If you want to protect your device before you go to install, you have come to the right place. For users of mobile financial services in Bangladesh like bKash, Nagad and Rocket, an unsafe app can pose a serious risk to your financial security.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check if an app is safe to help you make an informed decision and keep your device secure.
1. Download Only from Official Stores
The best place to begin is your device’s native app store:
- Google Play Store ( Android )
- Apple App Store For IPhone & Ipad
- Samsung Supported Devices Galaxy Store Samsung
- Huawei devices compatible Huawei AppGallery
Don’t download APK files from random websites, links or social media messages. APK is Android Package Kit, it’s an app install file. A modified APK can have bad codes. Even if it’s a file sent to you from a friend over Messenger or WhatsApp, check the source before installing the file.
2. Review App Permissions and Data Security
Apps can request to use your camera, microphone, contacts, location or photos. Before granting access, ask yourself, “Is this permission reasonable for the main purpose of the app?”
You might request permissions such as:
- Flashlight app asking for contacts or SMS (basic flashlight shouldn’t need them).
- Basic calculations app wants to use microphone (what the hell does basic calculations need a mic for?)
- Wallpaper apps requesting for contacts or call logs.
These are examples of big red flags, but not proof of a malicious app.
Before you install an Android app, always check out the Data safety section in the Google Play Store listing. See the section on how we collect and share data. After installing you can check the permissions by going to Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Permissions.
3. Read reviews/ratings carefully
But a 4.5 star rating and thousands of downloads doesn’t mean the app is safe. Ratings and reviews are susceptible to manipulation.
Watch for warning signs such as:
- There are a lot of reviews that say the same thing like “Great app” or “Very useful.”
- Surprise ads, battery drain and privacy concerns have been among the complaints recently.
- There are many legitimate reports of this problem.
Read reviews & critical reviews. Look for specific descriptions of problems, not star ratings.
4. Verify the Developer’s Reputation
Before you install an app, do some research on the publisher. Make sure the developer name is the one you expect from the company or service you intended to download from.
Test of Finance Application
If you want to install the official bKash app, you should go to the official bKash website and follow the link to the app-store. Make sure to check the developer name on the store page before you download. If you see an app with a similar name or logo that you don’t know, don’t assume it’s genuine.
5. Use Google Play Protect On Android
Google Play Protect helps you find apps that may be harmful It can scan apps as they are installed and can scan apps already on your device.
How can I see Google Play Protect:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap on your profile picture
- Tap Play Protect.
- Tap the settings/gear icon.
- Ensure that the Scan apps with Play Protect option is enabled.
Play Protect is a nice layer of security but it is not going to catch every threat out there. Leave it on and merge with the other checks in this guide.
6. Watch out for copycat apps and lookalikes.
Phony apps may copy the names, logos, colors or designs of popular services. Beware of any app that has:
- Official service, but with a name of a developer that does not match.
- Strange spelling/branding.
- There is no link to the service on the official site.
- Passwords, PINs, OTPs or unrelated permissions asked for out of the blue.
Do not give your PIN, password or OTP to an app dealing with financial services unless you have verified that it is a genuine service.
7. Have a good privacy policy
Privacy policy: The app’s statement about how it collects, uses, stores or shares information. Make the policy easy to find and easy to read. Find out what data the app collects, why it needs the data and if data is shared with third parties.
Privacy policy is not available or hard to find. Especially for apps collecting sensitive information, this can be a red flag.
8. Scan APK Files With VirusTotal – Cautiously
If you have an APK file on hand and you are not sure about it then you can scan the file with multiple security engines using VirusTotal. Note however, that a scan is not a substitute for checking the original source of the file.
Visit VirusTotal.com and upload the APK. Examine the scan results thoroughly. If the file is detected by one or more security engines, do not install it. The file is not necessarily safe just because no engines flagged it. New threats may not be detected.
Privacy notice: Files you upload to VirusTotal may be shared with security partners. Do not upload files or applications from private companies.
9. Exercise caution with financial apps
Financial apps are particularly dangerous if your credentials fall into the wrong hands, and thus require special attention. Download bKash, Nagad, Rocket, Upay or Mobile Banking Apps
- You can download the app from the official app store or the provider’s official website.
- Avoid clicking links that appear in unsolicited text messages and social media posts.
- Do not ever share your OTP, password or PIN with anyone claiming to be a customer support executive.
10. How to Check If an App Is Safe on an iPhone
If you have an iPhone, download apps from the Apple App Store, and read the information before you install them. Check the identity of the developer. Read the App Privacy information. Look for recent, credible complaints in the reviews.
You can check out an app’s access after you download it in Settings → Privacy & Security.
11. Final check before installing any app
Before you click “Install” check out this list:
- Is this a real site or app store that a legitimate developer is providing me with?
- Is the service I want the same as the developer identity?
- Does the app ask for reasonable permissions for what it does?
- Did I check the App Safety and App Privacy info that was provided?
- Are recent reviews reiterating legitimate security concerns?
- Is the application available on the official website of the service?
If you cannot verify an important detail, pause and investigate further. Knowing how to check if an app is safe means trusting your instincts when something feels wrong.
12. What to do if you already installed a suspicious app
If you’re worried an app might not be safe, don’t panic. The steps to follow are:
- Leave the app. Do not enter passwords, PIN numbers or OTPs or financial details on it.
- If you can, get rid of it. If it won’t uninstall, check the device admin privileges through your phone settings.
- On Android, use Google Play Protect and pay heed to any warnings.
- “Lock down compromised accounts. change your password on a trusted device .
- If you think your financial details have been compromised, contact your bank or your mobile money service provider immediately.
If you suspect a live compromise is happening, take the device offline while you investigate. If you care about sophisticated threats, read our guide on how zero-click spyware can compromise your phone.
FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
Can an app from Google Play or the Apple App Store still be unsafe?
Yes, Official app stores have security checks, but no review process can guaranty 100% safety for all apps. Before you install, look at the developer, permissions, privacy information and recent reviews.
Does Google Play Protect guarantee that an app is safe?
No. Google Play Protect can help find apps that could be harmful, but it can’t catch every threat.
Is an APK safe if VirusTotal shows no detections?
Not exactly. If a scan is clean, that means none of the security engines applied on that scan found anything in the file. That does not mean the APK is safe.
What should I do if a suspicious app may have accessed my banking information?
Please do not use the application and contact your bank or mobile financial service provider through the official channels. Check for any suspicious activity and compromised passwords on a trusted device.
Should I install an app if it requests a permission I do not understand?
Access granted, think first. Find out why the app needs that permission. If you can not give a reasonable explanation, do not give permission.
Summary
It only takes a few minutes to learn how to check if an app is safe, but it could save your privacy and financial security. Stick to official download sources, check developer credentials, check permissions and keep Google Play Protect enabled on Android.
There is no way to check that an app is 100% secure. If something smells fishy, or you can’t verify the source, take a minute and do a little bit more research before you install it. A little caution before clicking on “Install” can save your personal information, accounts and device.
