3 things to know before downloading an app

If you're one of the millions of people who have a smartphone in Australia, you're probably using apps on a daily basis. There are apps for almost anything you could think of nowadays, from maps and the weather, to fitness and meal planners. Not to mention the endless variety of games you can quickly become addicted to! In fact, the Australian Media and Communications Authority found that there was a 97 per cent increase in the volume of mobile data downloaded in the June quarter of 2014 alone1 - and apps have a big part to play. 

These fun little programmes might seem harmless, but before you flash past all the fine print and head straight to the download button, here are three things you should find out. 

1. What are the terms and conditions?

While the last thing you probably want to do before diving into a new app is read up on all the ins and outs, understanding the terms and conditions of using the app can steer you away from harm. These lay out exactly what you're agreeing to when you push download, including the kind of information the programme can access on your device. This can be anything from your address book and calendar, to GPS data about your location and even details about your device itself. 

Many apps only collect the information they need, but others can go that step further and gather unnecessary details. This is where your privacy can run into trouble - especially if the app has purposefully been designed to seek out personal data. According to an HP study of mobile applications, 74 per cent showed privacy violation as a major vulnerability2. While you can typically control the amount of information an app accesses, try and stay away from downloads that seem to require a large amount of information and opt for ones with clear limits.

2. What is the developer's reputation?

With so many Australians using mobile apps on a day-to-day basis, it's little wonder malicious developers attempt to use this to their advantage. These cyber criminals can create apps with a backdoor function, that enables hackers to access your device once the app has been downloaded, or weave nasty forms of malware into the system itself. What's more, it can often be difficult to tell the difference between a legitimate programme and one intended to steal your identity. 

To help get around this, have a look through past user reviews and do your own research to find out whether the developer is genuine. A fraudulent company generally won't provide contact details, and a history of complaints - or no reviews at all - can often show that the app is untrustworthy.

3. What are the signs my security has been breached?

Even if you've gone through all the steps to identify a malicious app, there's still the chance that a savvy cyber criminal could use the software to access the information on your device. Before you decide to install an app on your phone or tablet, it pays to be aware of what could happen if you fall victim. For instance, an app riddled with malware can drain your battery quickly, or cause your phone bill to jump by using data without your knowledge.

If you're worried that a hacker may - or has - slipped through the cracks, our team of security experts at Identity Watch can be on hand to help stop the breach from going any further. By carefully monitoring the internet for any signs of your personal information where information is known to be illegally traded, we can alert you of illegal or suspicious activity and advise you on what to do next.

1 Communications Report 2013-2014. Australian Media and Communications Authority. November 2014. 

2 HP Security Research: Cyber Risk Report 2015. HP Fortify. 2015.