
Reviewing These Four Things Before Downloading an App Will Save Your Life
Millennials and gadgets are like two peas in a pod. We’re always on the go, so we rely heavily on our smartphone apps to help with tasks, keep us updated with current events, entertain us, and even find good promo codes, like the Dealhack. Most of us have individual app store accounts with dozens of apps downloaded onto our devices. But how often do you check those four essential boxes before hitting the “Download” button? Do you think it matters if an app doesn’t have strong ratings or updated privacy policies? This process may seem tedious and unimportant, but in reality, reviewing these four things before downloading an app could very well save your life.
Source of the App
The first thing you should do is double-check the source of the app before downloading. It’s going to be a huge endgame for your smartphone if you don’t make sure that the app comes from a trustworthy site and not some suspicious third-party website. This could potentially expose your device to malware or spyware. Additionally, it’s wise to avoid any apps with reviews that seem too good to be true.
App Permissions
When you download an app, it will ask for certain permissions, such as access to your contacts, camera, or location. You should always read through the list of requested permissions and decide if they’re reasonable, given the app’s purpose. For example, a weather app should only need access to your location and nothing else. If an app is requesting more than what you would consider necessary, then it’s best to move on to another one that doesn’t require too many permissions.
Ratings & Reviews
Another important step before downloading is reading the reviews or ratings of the app. Make sure to scroll through the list of reviews, both positive and negative, to gain insight into potential problems or concerns. This is especially important if your device has a limited storage capacity or you’ll be using the app regularly. The ratings should give you an indication of how reliable and useful the app actually is. On top of this, searching the app name on Google and other search engines could also help you find valuable information that reviews may have missed.
Privacy Policy
Diving around in this digital world, your data is always at risk. To protect yourself, you should read through the app’s privacy policy before downloading it. This document will provide you with an overview of how the app collects and uses your data. While most apps ask for basic information such as email, some may require more intrusive access to your device or contacts. Therefore, it’s like a matter of life and death (well, at least for your personal data) to read through the privacy policy. The point is you need to know exactly what you’re signing up for and if it’s worth it before downloading the app.
Guys, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of taking a few moments to read through these four items before downloading an app. It may not seem like much, but it could save you from making a costly mistake. Trust us and take our advice seriously. Being aware of what you’re using is always the best prevention against any unwanted story.