In the past few months, rogue apps from developers in China have succeeded in slipping into the app stores owned by Google and Apple. These apps usually masquerade themselves as big retailers like Zappos, Dillard’s or Nordstrom or pose as most downloaded games like Pokemon Go. They somehow try to coax the mobile users in downloading and using them.
And as soon as everything goes as expected for hackers, mobile users start experiencing all sorts of troubles.
As companies are struggling to create standpoints for mobile security concerns, here’s a briefing which can act as a benchmark to mobile users against clicking or using malicious apps from app stores.
1.) Better to avoid 3rd party app stores- Search engines are always filled with millions of websites which act as app downloading channels. But remember, installing android or iOS apps outside of Google or Apple play store makes it around 10 times more likely to users have potential harmful applications.
2.) Butchered English usage- Fake app generators are usually imposters who do not intend to offer the expected services to users. Instead, they are in intent to serve the users downloading them with malicious malware. Thus, they always use butchered English for their copied fraudulent apps. So, always ensure to check for any spelling mistakes or grammar errors in the description and/or title. If it seems suspicious, avoid downloading such apps.
3.) Better to read reviews- Every app available for download is provided with a review section where users who already downloaded those apps can share their mind. A real app, in general, will have hundreds of reviews, while the fake ones will likely have zero. In some cases, users who have already downloaded the software might warn you against the suspicious activities carried out by the app on their respective mobile phones. This is enough to warn you about whether the app is illegitimate. On an additional note, if the app doesn’t have a contact email address or a legit looking website, then it will probably prove phony.
4.) Beware of retailers with no app or numerous apps- In today’s digital world, retailers are coming up with apps as a part of business development tactic. So, before downloading an app, the users should check the company’s official website to see if there’s a link to the specified app available in the app store. Companies such as Dillards which do not have an app can prove as vulnerable, as cyber crooks can develop fake apps in name of big stores and circulate malicious content through it. Also, users should be aware of the companies offering numerous apps. They should only download the legitimate ones through the website.
You can use the comments section below to add more such valuable tips to this article and Cyber Security Insiders ensures to appreciate such gestures.
