DANGEROUS Android apps could leave you exposed to cyber-crime.
A top cyber-expert has revealed three dangerous clues that it may be time to delete an app.
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Ending up with a scam app on your Android phone can be a real problem.
These scam apps could steal your money, or enough personal info to defraud you.
Some scam apps might also turn your device into an “ad fraud” machine that generates cash for crooks – while slowing your handset down and draining its battery.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, Dr Klaus Schenk, vice president of security at Verimatrix, revealed three types of apps that you should consider deleting.
It could save you from becoming the victim of a dangerous and costly scam.
The first type of app you may want to consider deleting is one that has been “side-loaded” – or downloaded from somewhere other than the Google Play Store.
Google uses the Play Store to distribute apps on Android – and most apps on there are completely safe.
But if you download apps from elsewhere, you expose yourself to a greater risk of scam apps.
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“The app was not downloaded from a trusted Google Play Store or Apple Store,” Dr Schenk warned.
“Even well-branded manufacturer’s stores like Samsung can have high rates of app spoofing and malware.”
The second type of app to consider deleting is one that you were coerced into downloading.
If a suspicious person pressured you into downloading an app – or offered you a reward that seems too good to be true – then you may be in danger.
“You were talked into installing the app by a person, text message, or website,” Dr Schenk said.
“Be wary of unsolicited requests to download apps.”
The third and final type of app you should think about deleting is one that asks for suspicious permissions.
Often apps need access to sensitive parts of your phone.
For instance, Instagram may need your camera or photos and Uber requires location access.
But if an app is making strange requests, that’s a bad sign.
“The app asks for permissions that do not match the use case for the app,” Dr Schenk said.
“For example, if a calculator app asks for permission to access your contacts or camera, it may be a red flag.”
If an app has all three of these warning signs, it’s even likelier to be dangerous.
None of the warning signs are a guarantee that an app is criminal – but you should be cautious if you spot any of them.
