In recent years, Android users have come across quite a few malicious applications scam, the rate of which appears to be increasing dramatically.
Just a few months ago, iOS users found themselves in front of a similar scam experience that had previously been unknown to them so far as apps that supposedly assisted in fitness were identified but actually used Apple's Touch ID to steal money.
According to ESET, we expect more and more specialised scams on both mobile platforms. For this reason, the company recommends that users follow the steps below to keep themselves, their devices and their data secure.
Scam Official app stores have limitations
Because of the huge volume of applications, much of the proceedings control applied by the official stores is done automatically. This means that individual app functions may not be noticed, so malicious apps are also likely to infiltrate the store. Knowing this information, users should always be careful and check the reliability of the applications themselves.
Read me caution reviews and ratings
Many times, there are positive reviews on scam applications, but if they are studied more closely, they seem to be false, for example they may be unclear, or make no sense. In this case, a good idea is to sort the reviews according to the "most useful" or "most important" filters.
Scam Patience rewards
The best time to find out if an application is scam is in the time before it is downloaded. However difficult it is to resist installation of the new, brand-new app you've found in the store, it's better to wait a few days or weeks to complete a good number of ratings.
Choose a developer that you know and trust
Before you begin installing an app, first investigate whether the developer who has developed it has good reviews as well, and whether it has developed other popular apps. Generally, it's a good practice if you've found a trusted developer, prefer to download applications only from them.
Study the functionality of your device
While it is not feasible to always have a full picture of what a device can do, you should know at least the basic details of its functionality. For example, your fingerprint data is never accessible to applications, so if you are prompted by an application to scan your finger to move forward, you should be cautious. Similarly, if your phone has features such as a QR scanner or a flashlight, you do not have to install an application that offers exactly the same function.
Scam Look for better
Have the developers developed other applications? Do they have good reviews? They have webσελίδα that looks professional with contact information? What results come up if you search the web for the name of the app or developer along with the word "scam"? Can you find more information about in-app purchases? Such searches can lead you to important information about whether an app is a scam or not.
Request a refund and report
If you have already installed a scam app, and you have fallen victim theftof money, ask the authorized store or the bank linked to the payment card if they can refund the lost amount. If the purchase was made in the form of a subscription, the process can be more complex, but it is definitely worth it. It is also important to report scam apps, and don't neglect to write your review, helping other users as well.
