Suspicious Mobile Apps: How to Recognize Threats and Protect Your Data

Smartphone apps are becoming a necessary part of our lives, but among them are malicious apps disguised as well-known services. Such apps can be dangerous, causing personal data leaks. 

These kinds of programs can:

• accumulate personal information - attackers use malicious programs to gain access to your accounts to steal money or personal information,
• steal passwords – sometimes programs collect confidential data to demand ransom
• subscribe to paid services. Some apps automatically subscribe users to paid services, deducting money without their consent.

 They often use similar names to popular services or mimic their interface. For example, an apparently harmless app — a calculator may request access to the camera or contacts, and a calendar — to geolocation. To reduce risks, you should download apps exclusively from verified stores, such as Google Play and App Store, and carefully study reviews, ratings, and required permissions. To avoid problems, it is important to be able to recognize suspicious apps and protect your device.

How to Recognize Suspicious Apps

Some malicious programs are designed to look like popular apps. However, behind an attractive interface, threats may be hidden. Here are the main signs that indicate unsafe software:

1. Low rating and few reviews. Well-known apps usually have many ratings. If an app has a rating below 3 stars, it's a cause for concern.
2. Request for access to unnecessary functions. For example, a calculator asks for access to the camera or contacts. 
3. Lack of information about the creator. Safe programs always provide contact information or an online service. 
4. Unnatural behavior. The app may cause the phone to freeze or show suspicious ads 

Signs of a Malicious Mobile App

To recognize possible threats, it is important to pay attention to certain characteristics of programs. The most common signs of malicious apps are:

• Too much advertising. Malicious programs often use aggressive ad inserts and pop-ups. 
• Unpredictable resource consumption. The app may heavily load the processor or drain the battery for no apparent reason. 
• Hidden payments. Some apps may subscribe users to paid services without their knowledge. 
• False updates. Such apps may independently download malicious files after installation. 

If such signs are detected, the app should be immediately deleted.

How to Protect Your Phone from Malicious Apps

Prevention — the best way to protect your device. To minimize risks, follow these recommendations:

1. Download programs exclusively from verified sources. The best ones — Google Play and App Store — verify the safety of apps before publishing, which reduces the likelihood of encountering malicious software. 
2. Monitor app permissions. Programs should only request the functions necessary to operate. 
3. Use antivirus programs. Modern antiviruses effectively detect threats and notify about suspicious apps. 
4. Keep the operating system up to date. Software creators regularly release security updates that fix detected vulnerabilities and effectively identify potential threats, as well as warn of suspicious apps. 

How to Check Apps for Safety

Inspecting an app before installation helps avoid trouble. The main verification methods include:

• Reading reviews. Analyzing user comments helps identify potential problems. 
• Analyzing the developer. Reliable apps always provide information about developers, which can be checked on the official website. 
• Using verification tools. There are online services and utilities available for checking the safety of mobile apps, such as VirusTotal or HashCheck. 
• Testing before primary use. After installing the program, ensure it works properly and does not request unnecessary permissions. 

Fake Apps and How to Avoid Them

Fraudsters often create fake versions of popular apps to deceive users. The main signs of fakes include:

• Similar name with typos, for example, “WhatsApp” might be written as “WhattsApp”. 
• Fake logos. The visual design of fakes often differs from original apps.
• A small number of downloads. If an app from a well-known brand has fewer than 10 thousand downloads, it may indicate deception. 

To avoid installing fake apps, always check developer information and download programs from official sources.