This is a very serious question for many people, especially as we are very concerned with the security of our mobile. For android users, there is a feature that prevents the installation of apps from unknown sources on your device. This feature is created to prevent applications not vetted by google into your phone.
It is this very feature that you must disable in order to install the Amazon App Store on your device. This is because the store is not listed on google play as an installable application. By merely deactivating this feature, many experts are convinced that your mobile becomes vulnerable to attack.
How Safe are the Applications on Amazon App
Store?
The major question, however, is how safe are the
applications that are contained on the Amazon store. Amazon
does a verification process for all the apps on its
platform, much like Google, Apple, and Microsoft. The
company has made several statements about its commitment to
ensure that all the applications on its platform are safe
and free of harm.
Some will argue that the security level of Amazon is not like the others, citing examples of certain premium games. However, it is generally accepted that amazon is a trustworthy site and its verification process is quite solid.
The Problem of Disabling Unknown Sources
This is perhaps the greatest disadvantage of trying to
install the Amazon App Store on your android device. There
is no trust on the part of Android for another application
store other than Google Play, and as such, it becomes
necessary that before the Amazon App Store can be installed,
the “unknown sources” feature must be
disabled.
The implication of this is that the device becomes vulnerable to possible malware and wrong applications from third-party sources that are not verified by amazon. Websites and adverts have the chance to prompt phones with harmful software, and the same applies to instant messengers and email messages. It is for this reason that one expert describes disabling unknown sources as inherently dangerous.
So, what should you do?
The question, as you must have observed, is not
straightforward. However, the choice really depends on what
kind of android user you are. If you are just the laid-back,
casual user who doesn’t spend so much time on the internet
reading blogs or playing games, then you can just leave that
option alone and look away from the Amazon App Store. There
are tons of amazing applications already provided on google
play.
However, if you are the kind that is very adventurous online
and spend time playing games, you can go ahead and allow the
store on your phone. You will just have to be careful with
the apps installed, and you can also manually toggle the
“unknown sources” feature for each installation.
As I mentioned earlier, Amazon App Store is quite safe, and the real danger comes with the need to disable the protection of the unknown sources feature on your device.