Suggestions on staying safe when using apps

Many members are keen to download new apps, but have they learnt how to keep themselves safe? Please share these simple tips.

• Don’t install any app on a whim or just because everyone else is using it. Do some research first, read ratings, read the privacy policies and terms of use.
• Regularly remove apps that you no longer use to protect you further.
• Update apps you do use to keep them secure

Before you download, check:

• What privacy permissions are being asked for. Do they seem reasonable? If not, don’t use it
• If you are being asked for all your contacts, access to remove, change or delete files in all your Google Drive, your camera and mic ask yourself “Does this app need this?”

Many of us tend to ignore these thinking that we will just get a few ads. But it’s more than the ads, you may be giving away personal information which can lead to more serious problems. Think about an app that can view or delete all files in your Google Drive. What other personal files do you have that you don’t want others to have access to?