{"id":11451,"date":"2017-05-27T11:00:42","date_gmt":"2017-05-27T16:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psafe.com\/en\/blog\/?p=11451"},"modified":"2017-05-29T14:38:05","modified_gmt":"2017-05-29T19:38:05","slug":"safe-download-apps-outside-google-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psafe.com\/en\/blog\/safe-download-apps-outside-google-play\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it Safe to Download Apps Outside of Google Play?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your Android is set-up to only download its apps from the Google Play store. There are several reasons for this. Google does get 30% from every app sold, but their motivations go beyond financial profit. Downloading an app outside the Google Play store opens you up to security risks, such as ransomware and other nasty viruses. Google Play’s system of vetting apps before they go public is designed to help keep your phone safe from these threats. Still, malware can infect apps in the Play store. Click here to check your device for threats:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"run-security-scan\"<\/a><\/center>By using Full Virus Scan, you can scan every file on your Android and SD card for corrupted apps. After doing a sweep with Full Virus Scan, you might be wondering if downloading an app outside of Google Play is really such a risky idea. So, is it safe to download apps from third-party stores?<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: <\/b>6 Tips to Get Rid of Google Play Store Errors<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

The Short Answer is: No, It’s Not Safe<\/b><\/p>\n

Android users should know that downloading an app from outside Google Play is inherently unsafe. In late 2016, an estimated 1.3 million Android phones were attacked by a malware called “Gooligan.\u201d How did Gooligan find its way onto these users’ phones, you ask? Through an app! More specifically, it was an app that wasn’t downloaded through the Google Play store. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before a new app becomes available in the Google Play store, Google checks the app for malware and any other threats to Android users. If you download an app from elsewhere, these protective measures don’t exist. <\/span><\/p>\n

If You Insist on Straying from Google Play<\/b><\/p>\n

From a safety point of view, it’s unwise to encourage an Android user to download apps outside of Google Play. However, if you still insist on downloading unvetted apps, here are some safety measures you should follow:<\/span><\/p>\n