In recent years, Android users have been confronted with several malicious scam applications, which appear to be growing 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 in both platforms cell phones. For this reason, the company recommends that users follow the steps below to keep themselves, their devices and their data safe.
Scam Official app stores have limitations
Because of the huge volume of applications, much of the control procedures applied by official stores are automated. This means that individual application functions may not be perceived, so malicious applications are likely to penetrate the store. Knowing this information, users always have to be careful and check for themselves the reliability of their applications.
Read carefully 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
Η καλύτερη στιγμή για να διαπιστώσετε αν μια εφαρμογή είναι scam βρίσκεται στο χρονικό διάστημα πριν τη λήψη της. Όσο δύσκολο κι αν είναι να αντισταθείτε στην εγκατάσταση της νέας, ολοκαίνουριας εφαρμογής που εντοπίσατε στο κατάστημα, είναι προτιμότερο να περιμένετε μερικές ημέρες ή εβδομάδες για να συμπληρωθεί ένας ικανοποιητικός αριθμός αξιολογήσεων.
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? Do they have a professional looking website with contact information? What results appear if you search onnetwork for the app or developer name together 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 been a victim of money theft, ask the official store or the bank connected to the card payments if he can refund you 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.
