When we install applications for the computer or mobile, it is essential that they work well and that they do not compromise our security. On many occasions we come across programs that are bogus, that have been created simply to steal information and make the operation of the device compromised. ¿How know if a program is safe? In this article we are going to talk about it. We will give advice to always keep installed applications in good condition.

What happens if you use insecure programs
Keep in mind that malicious software we install can compromise our equipment in different ways. A clear example is when we download an application and what it actually does is steal information or our passwords. All of that data is sent to a server controlled by the attackers.

You can also make the equipment malfunction. It could affect certain processes of the operating system and slow it down, that it is caught sometimes or that other legitimate programs that we have installed stop working normally and that causes errors.

Another problem with using applications that are not reliable is that could be limited. I mean, maybe you install a program to edit photos, for example, but it's not really the one you think you've installed, it's a fake copy. Even if it can open, you won't have the same functions as the original and that will limit usability.

Also, insecure programs can be used as a “ sleeping malware ”. I mean, a program that is going to work with apparent normality, but actually malicious software can activate at any time. The attacker will have an option to, in the future, steal data or access that system.

How to know if an application is reliable
To avoid all this that we mention is essential know if a program is reliable or not. So you can take into account the advice we are going to give. This way you will always install applications in complete security and your personal data will be protected. This is something you can apply whether you are installing computer software or mobile devices.

See the origin
The first thing you should keep in mind is where did you get that program. ¿Have you downloaded it from its official page? ¿Have you used app stores like Microsoft Store or Google Play? In those cases you will have more guarantees that the software that you are going to use is really reliable and there are no problems.

However, if you have installed that program from third-party sources, such as a web page that you have found on the Internet and you do not really know its legit, is when you could have problems. You could see that your personal data is compromised and that program could be designed to scam you.

Therefore, our advice is to install applications only from legitimate sources. Avoid third party sites and platforms that are not to be trusted. Even if you are not going to have 100% guarantees, you will certainly be more likely to be dealing with something legitimate.

Search information
You always have the possibility of search information on the Internet. This will certainly be very useful for detecting possible problems. You can see comments and warnings from other users. You will see the assessment they give to an application, as well as possible risks it may have for safety and proper functioning.

Simply by doing a Google search you will see if that program you are installing has a good reputation or if that page from which you are going to download the software is really reliable. Surely someone else before you has used it and has decided to leave their opinion on the Internet to collaborate.

Analyze it with an antivirus
Having a good antivirus is essential to maintain security. Applications like Microsoft Defender, Avast or Bitdefender are going to help you detect malicious software that I can join your team. And you can also apply this with any program you are going to install and want to rule out problems.

When you download a program, before installing it you can pass an antivirus to detect if it is something safe or not. If you use a good antivirus, it will issue a warning in case it detects that there is something strange. So you can remove it before you get to install it and you will protect your equipment.

Check its operation
It is also a good idea to check how it works. This will help you know if a program you have installed is safe or not. ¿Does it work well or does it work strangely? You may find that some functions are not going normally or that it even slows down the operation of the system or other applications.

In case you see that something is wrong, it is best to uninstall it as soon as possible. It could be malicious software and compromise your security and privacy. If you analyze its operation you can find problems.

Tips for keeping programs safe
But you should not only see if a program is safe before installing it, but also after. It is important that you consider certain recommendations for maintain applications in complete safety and that at any given time it cannot become a problem that puts your system at risk.

Update them
Something that cannot be missing is that periodically update the programs. This is very important to correct any vulnerability that may appear. This will prevent a hacker from exploiting that failure and strain some type of malware or steal personal information that may leak.

Therefore, even if it is a reliable program that you have installed, it is important that you always keep it updated. Avoid having an obsolete version that could compromise your privacy and security.

Beware of accessories
A program is not just the main thing we see. That is, an application that we install to edit videos, for example, may have different accessories that add some interesting functions and add a plus to the functionality that it has as standard when we download and install it.

But those plugins or extensions must be safe. If you decide to install something additional, make sure they comply with everything we have mentioned regarding the main program. Installing an extension from unreliable sources can be a major problem and should be avoided.

Continuous review
It is also interesting to carry out a continuous review of that installed program. ¿Has anything changed regarding original software what have you installed? Some applications can change hands and that means they make important changes in operation and it is not always for the better, nor to improve safety.

Check that everything continues to work well from time to time. If you find that something is wrong, that there is something strange, it may be better to uninstall the program and find out if it really can be a security problem or not.

Create backups
On the other hand, one more tip to maintain the security of the programs is to create backups from time to time. Sometimes problems can arise that cause failures and make us lose all the work done, documents created, etc. If you create backups from time to time, you can avoid this problem.

Whenever possible, try to back up the programs. This will keep the configuration correctly and avoid problems in case there is loss of files or documents.

In short, as you can see it is very important to install programs in complete safety. Avoid adding insecure software, downloaded from unreliable sources, whether you are using a computer or a mobile device. Also check that these applications always work well, beyond the time of installation.