Archives - Google Play


Skip the sideload–stay safe with official App Stores on Android

Android offers a world of apps, but sometimes, you might stumble upon an app that isn’t available in the Google Play Store. It might be a game a friend recommends or a productivity tool you saw on a website. Here’s the thing: installing these apps, also known as “sideloading,” can be risky for your device. […]

Downloading apps: don’t let appearances fool you

In today’s digital world, apps have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. While downloading apps from official app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play is generally safer than sideloading or acquiring them from third-party sources, it’s important to remember that even official apps can pose security and privacy risks. Not […]

Don’t “sideload” an app onto your device unless you’re absolutely sure it’s safe

Most phones allow you to add apps to them manually, without using traditional stores such as Google Play and the Apple App Store. While these apps may seem useful, there’s no reliable way to tell if they’re completely safe. It’s best to avoid sideloading apps altogether unless you’re completely sure the app is legitimate.

10 Steps to Smartphone Security for Android

Android is the most popular consumer computer operating system (OS) in the world. Although it has a reputation for being less safe than its main competitor, Apple’s iOS, there are steps most people can take to sharply reduce the risk to their devices and data. Let’s look at ten things you can do as an […]

Set up a digital wallet and forget your credit card number

Typing in your credit card number on a new website is always a risk. The data could be exposed in a breach or intercepted through a man-in-the-middle attack. Many online shops, as well as brick-and-mortar stores, now accept payments from digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Enable parental controls in the Play Store

Protecting your children online means ensuring that they can’t access potentially harmful apps. From the child’s Android phone or Chrome OS device, navigate to “Parental controls” under “User controls.” Set up a personal identification number (PIN) that your child won’t guess.