January 10th 2025.
Have you checked your phone for any potentially dangerous apps? According to experts, there are millions of people who have unknowingly downloaded apps that can cause harm, such as extortion, harassment, and financial loss. It's a concerning issue, especially for Android users, as these malicious apps can appear on the Play Store and remain there for some time before being taken down by Google.
Among the most concerning are what cybersecurity firm McAfee calls "predatory loan apps." These apps, also known as SpyLoan apps, have been downloaded a staggering 8 million times worldwide. They have the ability to control other apps on your phone and extract personal data without your consent. While McAfee states that some of these apps have been removed or updated to be less threatening, many of them still remain on users' devices.
If you are an Android user, here is a list of 15 apps that you should delete immediately to protect yourself: Préstamo Seguro, Préstamo Rápido, ได้บาทง่ายๆ-สินเชื่อด่วน, RupiahKilat-Dana cair, ยืมอย่างมีความสุข – เงินกู้, เงินมีความสุข – สินเชื่อด่วน, KreditKu-Uang Online, Dana Kilat-Pinjaman kecil, Cash Loan-Vay tiền, RapidFinance, PrêtPourVous, Huayna Money – Préstamo Rápido, IPréstamos: Rápido Crédito, ConseguirSol-Dinero Rápido, and ÉcoPrêt Prêt En Ligne.
But even if you don't have any of these apps installed, it's important to be aware of the signs that your device may be infected with malware. These include receiving alerts about a virus, having outdated anti-virus software, experiencing a decrease in operating speed or storage space, and your device not functioning properly. You may also notice your phone sending emails or social media posts without your knowledge.
To keep your phone safe from dangerous apps, it's important to be cautious when downloading new apps. McAfee recommends carefully reviewing the app's description, checking for poor grammar, reading reviews, and seeing if the developer has published other well-reviewed apps. It's also advised to avoid using any apps that require accessibility services unless absolutely necessary.
To add an extra layer of protection, make sure your mobile device is equipped with comprehensive security solutions that can monitor and block potentially harmful links and apps. And as always, be wary of clicking on suspicious links, even if they claim to be urgent. If you are unsure, it's best to contact the company directly to verify the legitimacy.
As this issue continues to affect many people, it's important to spread awareness and take necessary precautions to keep our devices and personal information safe. Have you had any experiences with dangerous apps? Share your views in the comments below.
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