What's an apk file?

[OM2]

I downloaded some mario game from the android market
it said i HAD to download another game BEFORE it would run
whatever i did, it came back to the same screen

so... i decided to download
it ended up to be a wopping 5mb game
i assumed it would take me to another android market game
but instead it took me to another website and made me download an apk file

what is this??
is it an executable?

the game was 'super mario'
and the game it made me download was 'papaya fish' - or something like that

seems very dubious practice to me

ALSO: i assumed that u could ONLY run android market games and applications (that where tested and verified to be non malicious - unless u had the option ticked to allow non market/external applications?

would be good to hear what others say

thanks


OM

 

[nyydynasty]

the APK file is how android packages are distributed. If you can enable non-market apps, then do that. Once you get that APK file onto your phone, browse to it using your phone and run it. It should install.

 

[OM2]

ok, thanks

enable non market applications?
does that not open the door to get a virus or have ur phones used to make expensive calls or something?

 

[nyydynasty]

no, that just allows you to install APK files that you downloaded from other locations. You can turn it back off, if it makes you feel better.

 

[OM2]

it's not a case of making me feel better!
get a virus on ur pc and maybe u can screw up pc
get a malicious virus on ur mobile and u could end up paying big bils - u could be calling premium numbers or sending premium texts??

am i just being paranoid or what?

i won't be installing the apk i mentioned in any case

 

[Deleted User]

yes it's potentially dangerous, however it can't make nothing that can't be undone with a factory reset (even if you enabled root permissions as you cannot modify /system partition). but you may install something that can steal personal informations or maybe make calls etc. just check permissions before installing as you would do by installing a market application

 

[mrmojoz]

I'd be worried about downloading a fake Mario game in the first place.

 

[OM2]

ingcorra, thanks for the reply
i don't worry about installing any market application
in the early days, i was really cautious even when installing applications from the market!
but now, i just assume that google has vetted the application so i've got no worries!

but a non market application from a 3rd party - no, i'm not too sure about that - simply because of what can be done

question: just wondering, has there been ANY stories about crime and loss as a result of installing a 3rd party application?
would be interesting to know

 

[OM2]

I'd be worried about downloading a fake Mario game in the first place.

why would u be worried about downloading a game that has been given approval to be on the market by google?

 

[ThrillKill]

love super mario. just not the same on my phone as it was on nintendo

 

[OM2]

love super mario. just not the same on my phone as it was on nintendo

so u installed the application and were happy to be forced into installing some other game?

 

[CptGemini]

I have the nintendo emulator from the android market, not installed currently though but next week when I go on my holiday trip I will be putting it on. It is up to you however to get the game roms from somewhere to play them on the emulator as I think it is against site rules to post links to them here or I would share some with you.

 

[Xyro]

ingcorra, thanks for the reply
i don't worry about installing any market application
in the early days, i was really cautious even when installing applications from the market!
but now, i just assume that google has vetted the application so i've got no worries!

but a non market application from a 3rd party - no, i'm not too sure about that - simply because of what can be done

question: just wondering, has there been ANY stories about crime and loss as a result of installing a 3rd party application?
would be interesting to know

why would u be worried about downloading a game that has been given approval to be on the market by google?

Actually, there was a wallpaper app in the market that made the news a few weeks ago that was taking people's data.

It's far more important to check which permissions an app needs before installing and ask if they make sense. Does your calculator app need to connect to the internet and access your personal files? Probably not.

It is up to you however to get the game roms from somewhere to play them on the emulator as I think it is against site rules to post links to them here or I would share some with you.

Correct

 

[OM2]

It's far more important to check which permissions an app needs before installing and ask if they make sense. Does your calculator app need to connect to the internet and access your personal files? Probably not.

yes, ur right
that's how i started life installing applications from the market
but then u end up NOT installing ANYTHING
the conclusions i came to in the end was that i have to out my trust into google
they will test and verify and make sure nothing malicious is happening