CYBER-EXPERTS have revealed the sinister warning signs of a “malicious” app.
Fake apps that pretend to be more popular downloads can be extremely dangerous – so you need to know how to spot one.
Criminals create fake apps to install dangerous “malware” on your device.
This could be used to steal your money, or take enough personal info to defraud or extort you.
Now cyber-experts at security giant McAfee have warned over three key signs that an app is fake – and potentially dangerous.
“Fake apps have become a rampant problem for Android and iPhone users alike,” McAfee cyber-experts warned.
“This is mainly in part due to malicious apps hiding in plain sight on legitimate sources, such as the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
“After users download a faulty app, cybercriminals deploy malware that operates in the background of mobile devices which makes it difficult for users to realize anything is wrong.
“And while users think they’ve just downloaded another run-of-the-mill app, the malware is hard at work obtaining personal data.”
There are three types of apps that you should consider deleting right away.
The first is an app that is littered with typos or poor grammar.
This can be one of the first signs that an app is “malicious” and “fake”.
“Always check the app developer name, product title, and description for typos and grammatical errors,” McAfee cyber-experts explained.
“Often, malicious developers will spoof real developer IDs, even just by a single letter or number, to seem legitimate.”
The second type of app is one with an extremely low number of downloads.
For new apps, this wouldn’t really be an issue.
But if you’re downloading something like WhatsApp and it only has 12 installations, you’re in for a bad time.
“If you’re attempting to download a popular app, but it has a surprisingly low number of downloads, that is a good indicator that an app is most likely fake,” McAfee warned.
Finally, you should consider deleting – or avoiding – an app with awful reviews.
This is a often a very clear sign that an app you’re downloading is a malicious fake.
“With malicious apps, user reviews are your friend,” McAfee said.
“By reading a few, you can receive vital information that can help you determine whether the app is fake or not.”
