Android applications and games are simply popular and fans keep looking for the latest and most interesting games or apps to download onto their phones. Usually to enjoy the exciting world of games and apps you need an Android application package or APK, which is that the file format that the Android operating system uses to install and distribute software especially the apps or games. The source of your APK downloader should be verified and trustworthy for you to have a pleasant experience downloading; but there are other simple things you can embrace to make sure that your phone remains safe from malware when downloading the android apps.

1. Keep off unknown sources

Google Play is the best installation source when it comes to the android apps, but you still have an option of getting the apps from other reliable sources. You can find Google Play APK easily today, but you ought to be careful with the APK file that you download because you could end up with malware on the device. What you should do is to ensure that the source is safe and disable unknown source installations on your device until a time when you feel safe enough to trust the download from a given source.

2. Double check your app ratings

Just because the games and apps are on Google Play does not necessarily make them safe for downloading. Always make a point of checking reviews and ratings of the android games and apps you are about to download because they can help you unveil technical issues you are likely to encounter. In essence the higher the rating of the game or app and the more downloads it has received, then safer it should be for you to download it. If you are interested in new releases that have little feedback on them, then take your time to research a little bit more about them before you go ahead with the download.

3. Check the app or game details

Details about the publisher and developer of the game or apps you are about to download can help you determine how legitimate they are. You can use independent discussion forums and reviews to get the details you need so you can confirm that what you are about to download is the correct app or game. Malware writers easily create apps that are very similar to the popular ones so make sure that you take your time to check that the app developer, name and publisher are correct before you do ahead.

4. Know permissions you grant

When installing a new app or game, you get a list of permissions that you grant the software. Unfortunately, not many users understand or take time to check what permissions they grant. Be on the safe side by evaluating permissions and why they are needed so you know whether they have a valid reason or they are suspicious. If what you are allowing the software to do is suspicious then don’t grant the permission.