THERE are literally millions of Android apps to choose from out there – and they’re not all on the Google Play Store.
Unlike iPhone and iOS, you can download Android apps outside the official store.
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This is designed to make the operating system as open as possible.
But it has a dangerous downside.
Downloading stuff outside of Google‘s control means these unchecked apps could be riddled with viruses and other worrying hacks.
Dodgy apps do manage to slip through the net onto Google Play Store, but even then, Google has the power to take them down preventing anyone else from getting hacked.
When you download a third party app, there is no such protection at all.
Apps are technically known as APK files and there are loads of sites offering them.
Sometimes pirated apps are available on them too, which is a whole other problem.
Hackers will often use this as a way to lure users trying to save a quick buck.
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The risk is not worth it – not to mention, it’s stealing.
Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably not.
You just don’t get the same level of protection outside of Google’s secure confines.
If you must download a third party app, be sure to scan it with an antivirus software before installing it at the very least.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
