Urgent warning to smartphone users as cyber threats skyrocket
SMARTPHONE users are being urged to be app-rehensive amid a rise in dodgy apps.
According to cyber experts ESET, the number of Android threats soared by 57 per cent in the last few months of 2022.
This surge was driven by a 163 per cent increase in adware (the pop-up ads that are the bane of many user’s lives) and a growth of 83 per cent in “hidden app” detections.
Often bogus apps look just like the real thing.
Many people will only realise they’ve downloaded suspicious software when they’re hit with a charge they don’t recognise or see their battery drain for no reason.
However, experts from ESET, the internet security specialists, say that people can avoid downloading fake apps by doing some important checks before they hit download.
To keep your device safe, follow these seven tips for recognising a potential problem.
CHECK THE NUMBERS
Say you’re looking for what you would reasonably expect to be an app with hundreds of millions of users but only come across an app that, while sounding like the real thing, hasn’t racked up anywhere near as many downloads.
If that’s the case, the chances are high you’re dealing with an imposter app.
READ THE REVIEWS
If an app is rated poorly, you should probably give it a pass.
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On the other hand, tons of glowing reviews that all sound almost the same should also raise eyebrows.
This is especially the case with apps that have not been downloaded millions of times — many of those recommendations may be the work of fake reviewers or even bots.
CHECK THE VISUALS
Something about the app’s colour or the logo used doesn’t feel right . . .
If you’re in doubt, compare the visuals to those on the website of the service provider.
Malicious apps often mimic their legitimate counterparts and use similar, but not necessarily identical, logos.
Keep your eyes peeled for key details — a closer look, including at the URLs, often reveals some giveaways.
DOUBLE-CHECK ‘OFFICIAL APP’ CLAIMS
In one case documented by ESET research last year, cybercriminals distributed apps for online stores and…
