So it's important to find a reliable source for downloading APK files. Because APK files install applications on the system, they can pose a serious security threat. A person with malicious intent could modify the APK before installing it and then use it as a digital Trojan horse to install and execute malware. In the end, can the APK harm your phone? Well, if you download a malicious program from the Internet, then yes, it can do almost anything.
However, if you use effective Android security tools and run Android applications from a remote location, it's quite possible to avoid any damage caused to your phone. While installing APK files is easy, it may not always be useful or safe. Users should be careful when downloading APK files, as it can be a stolen or illegal application. Some are better than others, so keep reading if you want to discover the best sites to download APKs safely. This means that you don't have to worry about any middleman injecting malware into APKs before you get hold of them.
These files are generally distributed through third-party repositories, although some companies also allow you to download official APK files directly. To do this, simply copy the APK to your phone, enable Unknown Sources in the privacy settings and start the APK, and install the application that is packaged in the file. APK files are saved in ZIP format and are usually downloaded directly to Android devices, usually via Google Play, but can also be found on other websites. Most developers have the same application available on both platforms (an apk for Android and an IPA for iOS). If the checksum is similar to the result of HashDroid, it can be said that your apk file is original and safe.
Most devices disable the ability to install an apk file from unofficial sites, due to security issues. Users in those countries can download an IQ Option APK file from the app directly from the official IQ Option website. Therefore, an APK file works as an archive file, like zip format packages based on the JAR file format. When you enter the apk file in the verification bar, HashDroid will show you everything about this application's MD5, SHA-1 and SHA-256. While worrying, applications downloaded from official sources also contained malicious advertising and other forms of malware in the past, so it's not a problem unique to an APK repository. Aptoide is another giant in the world of APK downloads; it has more than 200 million users and has been responsible for six billion downloads. This is because they may contain malware, so it is recommended that you run the APK files through an online virus scanner before installing them (it is also advisable to use an antivirus application for Android).
