Topic: Identifying and Avoiding Fake Apps - page 2. (Read 375 times)

The golden rule, if you do not trust the developer and do not need much, do not download it. Downloading a lot of programs reduces your protection

  - Do not trust the safety of all the programs in Google Play.
  - Finding that software from the original company does not mean that it is safe, but you trust that this company will not provide harmful software.
  - Allocating permissions: Do not grant many of them except for a convincing reason.
  - Open-source software does not mean that it is safe unless you can read each line of code.

First of all, check what are the permissions were asked by the app while installing, if it is something out of its usage then its something shady but we can't say all the reputed apps are good, they are also doing the same like spying the user and collecting their information and then sell them to make money.UNderstand when you are getting something for free means your data is their target.

I made this guide a couple of years back.
- Not all crypto apps in App stores are safe
It could help one on how to identify fake apps especially on google play and how to avoid being victim.  

I would add one more thing. When searching for an app to download, NEVER click on Google ad. Scammers will often try to pay for an ad that points to a fake app that will harm your mobile phone. For example, you could search for "binance" to download their app and trade, but some scammer could pay Google ad and that point to fake web site where you'll download fake app.

What is the first thing an individual does when he gets a new phone? Yes! Out of excitement, he starts downloading all types of applications in his phone, for example: wallpaper apps, game apps and other social apps. BUT in all this excitement, he forgets about the security of his phone and the data stored in the device. STOP and wait for a minute or two because there are a number of fake apps out there. A good look at the application before downloading it into your system will do no harm. The availability of an app on Google Play Store or App store doesn’t confirm it’s authenticity.

Ways you can do to avoid fake apps
1. Straight to the source - When you are going to download apps on your phone, always be careful when doing it, to make yourself feel comfortable on installing apps on your phone, you may visit the creator's official website because for sure if it is really legit the creator would put the information of the apps on their website.
2. Word of Mouth and Recommendations - If you cannot find the right website of the application, you may do some research or some reviews about the application, if it is really good you will so many positive feedback for it.
3. In the Details - You may be able to know fake apps just by diligently reading descriptions and viewing the images. Real companies usually proofread descriptions carefully and publish only clear, professional screenshots, always check the grammar and the format of the text, it should be in formal format.
4. Did I Download the Right App? - When you already downloaded the app and it seems like normal but if you compared it some ads about it and to the websites of this app and you see like there is different in colors, text or something then it might be fake apps.

For more details read this: https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/identifying-and-avoiding-fake-apps

What is the purpose of this?
There are so many ways that hackers and scammers can do just to steal someone's money or account, some hackers use fake application and unsecured advertisement just to spy on your computer or on your cellphone, by that, they can use your information or whatever about you to some purposes they wanted to.