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You probably understand by now that riskware is only as dangerous as the actions it can take. Unfortunately, this makes more serious riskware threats harder to spot.
To make your search easier, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I know how this software ended up on my system? Sometimes, some riskware is native to your operating system. Regardless, the permissions of all software should ideally be directly authorized by you. If not, you should consider that a red flag.
- What permissions does this application have? Registry access, camera, microphone, contacts, and other expansive permissions can be an inherent hazard for your safety.
- Does this software still receive updates from its developer? Unsupported software is often probed by hackers for vulnerabilities in hopes that users are continuing to use it and expose themselves. Be mindful of this risk if using an outdated OS or apps.
- Does this software allow me to do something illegal? Despite some software walking a grey area of legality, most pirated programs or copy protection disablers are not legal. Avoid using programs designed for fraud activity to stay safer.
- Does this software breach the terms of service for another app? Be sure to read terms of service for programs that interact with each other. Software that augments or disables intentional features of another program may be a blatant violation.
Of course, simply spotting this software is not enough — you’ll have to manage your riskware and protect against misuse as well.
