SMARTPHONE owners have been urged to delete four apps that can steal their data
It’s no secret that fraudsters will try almost any method to steal people’s data – including through malicious or vulnerable apps.
Bad actors could steal your personal information by hacking into an app or stealing your login credentials – known as phishing.
Another way your information is vulnerable is through apps that collect your data and sell them to third parties.
Sometimes an app will even steal your data without your knowledge or consent.
As such, experts recommend removing certain applications from your device as they can put your information at risk.
We have outlined below four apps you should remove right now.
One of the first apps you should erase off your phone is Facebook as it tends to track your location and use up a lot of your data.
This happens because the app connects to many third-party platforms and other services on your phone.
You may even benefit from deleting and re-downloading the app as a way to clear space on your device.
QR CODE SCANNERS
QR code scanners became popular after the Covid-19 pandemic.
By scanning a QR code, you can visit a website’s URL quickly and effortlessly.
However, now most smartphones come pre-equipped with QR code readers.
This eliminates the need for a QR code scanner app, as it wastes space on your device.
What’s more, these apps often collect personal information that can be intercepted by hackers.
CAMSCANNER
CamScanner, an app that allows you to scan documents onto your phone, is another platform that you don’t need.
Apps that scan documents in general are a waste of space because your phone’s camera can do a perfectly fine job.
What’s more, CamScanner has been linked to several data breaches since it came out a few years back.
The bottom line is you can save time and money, and protect your data data by simply using your camera.
PLANT MONSTER GAME
Apps like Plant Monster might sound fun in theory as they help you track the location of your plants.
However, they track a lot of your data that can be used against you. For instance, your name, address, and uploaded photos.
This data can easily be sold to third parties or breached by cybercriminals.
Your best bet is to remove the Plant Monster app and similar software from your phone.
