If you have a smart phone or electronic tablet, chances are you have at least a few apps on it. It’s hard to resist software programs that can give you directions to a desired location, provide access to thousands of songs, or allow you to make purchases online, all in the palm of your hand.
But unfortunately, not all apps are legitimate. Fake apps are scamming people left and right, and more are surfacing every day. This is especially true in the retail world.
Phony apps are impersonating those of popular retailers in order to gain access to your personal and financial information. They may even install malicious software (malware) on your device that locks you out, and the only way you can unlock it is to pay a ransom.
How can this happen? The fraudsters have found numerous ways to draw in victims, such as infiltrating app stores with fake ads that promote their scam apps. Unscrupulous developers will push their apps on users to get them to pay for subscriptions that essentially are worthless and extremely harmful.
So what can you do? Here are some tips from cybersecurity experts to protect yourself:
• Don’t download apps with misspelled words in their description or title, or display slipshod logos. Many bogus apps are created overseas by developers who don’t have a strong grasp of English, or are in a hurry to make a quick buck.
• Beware, however, that there are phony apps that closely imitate the real things. If you’re not sure that such apps are legitimate, go to the retailer’s websites in question and see if they have an app available. If they do, they will direct you to the app store to download it. You can also do an internet search by typing a brand name and “fake app” in the search box to see if the company has reported that its brand is being used illegally.
• If you’re shopping using apps, take a screenshot of the item you’re purchasing, or save the product description and price, along with the online receipt and any e-mails you exchanged with the retailer while making the purchase.
• Scrutinize your bank statements on a regular basis to ensure there are no charges being made that you’re unaware of.
• Legitimate apps typically have reviews that you can look at before you download them. Scam apps usually have none or just a couple. Or they may have reviews that are short and generic.
• Check to see who published the app. Phony developers will use similar names as those they’re spoofing for their apps.
• Look for the app’s publish date. Scam apps often have recent publish dates, while legitimate ones will have an “updated on” date.
• Does the app offer unbelievable shopping discounts that sound too good to be true? That’s because they’re not legit, just like the app.
• Also check to see how often the app has been downloaded. Real apps will have hundreds, if not thousands, of downloads under their belts. Fake ones won’t have those numbers, if many or any at all.
• If you’re an Android user, go to your settings and then security to make sure you don’t allow third-party app downloads from untrusted sites.
Apps are great as long as they’re trustworthy. So be sure the ones you choose are safe to use.
But unfortunately, not all apps are legitimate. Fake apps are scamming people left and right, and more are surfacing every day. This is especially true in the retail world.
Phony apps are impersonating those of popular retailers in order to gain access to your personal and financial information. They may even install malicious software (malware) on your device that locks you out, and the only way you can unlock it is to pay a ransom.
How can this happen? The fraudsters have found numerous ways to draw in victims, such as infiltrating app stores with fake ads that promote their scam apps. Unscrupulous developers will push their apps on users to get them to pay for subscriptions that essentially are worthless and extremely harmful.
So what can you do? Here are some tips from cybersecurity experts to protect yourself:
• Don’t download apps with misspelled words in their description or title, or display slipshod logos. Many bogus apps are created overseas by developers who don’t have a strong grasp of English, or are in a hurry to make a quick buck.
• Beware, however, that there are phony apps that closely imitate the real things. If you’re not sure that such apps are legitimate, go to the retailer’s websites in question and see if they have an app available. If they do, they will direct you to the app store to download it. You can also do an internet search by typing a brand name and “fake app” in the search box to see if the company has reported that its brand is being used illegally.
• If you’re shopping using apps, take a screenshot of the item you’re purchasing, or save the product description and price, along with the online receipt and any e-mails you exchanged with the retailer while making the purchase.
• Scrutinize your bank statements on a regular basis to ensure there are no charges being made that you’re unaware of.
• Legitimate apps typically have reviews that you can look at before you download them. Scam apps usually have none or just a couple. Or they may have reviews that are short and generic.
• Check to see who published the app. Phony developers will use similar names as those they’re spoofing for their apps.
• Look for the app’s publish date. Scam apps often have recent publish dates, while legitimate ones will have an “updated on” date.
• Does the app offer unbelievable shopping discounts that sound too good to be true? That’s because they’re not legit, just like the app.
• Also check to see how often the app has been downloaded. Real apps will have hundreds, if not thousands, of downloads under their belts. Fake ones won’t have those numbers, if many or any at all.
• If you’re an Android user, go to your settings and then security to make sure you don’t allow third-party app downloads from untrusted sites.
Apps are great as long as they’re trustworthy. So be sure the ones you choose are safe to use.