A CYBER-SECURITY expert has revealed the warning signs you need to check on your Android phone that show whether an app is secretly malicious.
The clues are often plain as day if you know where to look, according to the pro.
There are two warning signs that you definitely need to watch out for.
And if you see either, it’s worth deleting the app right away.
The U.S. Sun spoke to Zane Bond, Head of Product at Keeper Security, who revealed when you should be concerned about an app.
“One way is to check the app’s privacy policy,” Zane told us.
“A reputable app will have a clear and concise privacy policy that outlines how it uses your data and what kind of information it collects.
“If an app’s privacy policy seems vague or doesn’t exist, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid using the app altogether.”
Any time that an Android app conceals what it’s doing, that should be cause for concern.
Another area where you might want to worry is if an app is “abusing its security permissions”.
“Some apps may request access to sensitive information such as your location, contacts, camera and microphone as part of their vague terms and conditions,” Zane warned.
Often apps will need to access sensitive parts of your phone to work properly.
Imagine trying to use Uber without offering up your location, or Skype with no microphone access.
That’s perfectly normal so that you can take advantage of all the app’s features.
But some apps might go too far and access permissions it doesn’t need – and this is a red flag.
“When you download an app, it will typically ask for permission to access certain features or data on your device,” Zane said.
“For example, a social media app may request access to your camera and microphone to allow you to take pictures and record videos.
“However, if an app requests access to sensitive information that it doesn’t need to function properly, this is a red flag that it may be abusing its security permissions.
“These permissions can typically be changed in your phone’s settings.”
It’s important to keep track of apps and the permissions they’re using.
If something seems suspicious, it might be a good reason to delete the app entirely, according to Zane.
“Users should take extreme caution when downloading any app onto their devices,” Zane told The U.S. Sun.
“In addition to the fact that malicious phone apps have the power to remotely access a device or harvest detailed, personal information about those who use them, there is also concern about who has access to this data, particularly when it’s a nation state.
“The best way to defend against any app you think is abusing security permissions is to remove it from your phone altogether.”
