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Tips for avoiding Malware

According to Wikipedia,  Malware, in short, is defined as: “Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming (code, scripts, active content, and other software) that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior.^[1] The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.” (Read the whole definition at “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware

Malware is becoming more and more prevalent in the Android world, and is now considered by some sources, to be the number one targeted platform in the Mobile Market.

Steps to protect you from Malware.

1.       Don’t download Apps and content from unfamiliar sites or sites you don't trust

A good rule of thumb is to only download Apps from the Android Market or other trusted app markets such as Amazon or from your carrier.  Unfortunatly criminals are building apps and actively luring people to download them.  Some of these apps make it into the Android Market because it's a relativly open market where almost anyone can publish an app into and it takes time for Google to find these bad apps and remove them.  

If you don't recognize the publisher of the app as a reputable source, then do your homework by reading reviews and even using google to find out what people are saying about the app outside of the app store.  If it's a brand new app with very few reviews...don't install it...this is very risky!

2.       Don’t “Side Load”

Applications from sites you do not know or trust.  “Side Loading” is Moving files from a local device, such as a computer, to another Local device , like a Phone.  To Side Load,  you would download an App to your PC and then use a USB cable or Bluetooth to transfer it to your phone to install it, or Open it.

3.       Check Your Sources

Not all third-party sources of apps are bad, but the odds are much higher.  Amazon for example has a thriving healthy app store as do many carriers.  If you encounter an app store from a 3rd party that isn't from a name brand trustworthy source, then do not use this app store.

4.       Do Your Homework

Think before you download. Just as it makes sense to read some Amazon reviews before buying a book, or some Yelp reviews before testing out a new restaurant, it makes sense to read some reviews of an app before you jump off the cliff. General word of mouth support for an app is good, but it is even better if you can get input from your social networks--friends and family you trust--before downloading an app.

Googling the app is also a great way to research it.  

5.       Install an anti-virus/anti-malware app.

Some recommendations: Lookout, Zoner, Norton, Kaspersky, AVG.

6.       Don't know what an app does? Then don't install it.

Avoid installing apps that are new to the scene. Allow some time to pass to have some user knowledge/comments about it to be gathered before trusting and finally installing it.

7.       Watch the Permissions

Mobile operating systems have security in place that apps generally have to request permission to access core functions and services of the device. Think about the permissions you are granting before you just tap and blindly accept them. Does that Sudoku app really need access to your contacts, camera function, and location information?