Android apps have revolutionized different aspects of our lives. There is no argument that these apps are our friends. But is every app safe? Possibly, it is not. Some of your apps might be leaking your personal information and exposing you to security threats or spam. This article will discuss this issue and give you a list of dangerous android apps that may steal your data.
What is information theft? Why is it dangerous?
If someone collects and uses your personal information without your consent, this kind of act is called ‘information theft’. This information might include your name, date of birth, address, pictures, the number of your credit card, or the PIN of your virtual wallet, or even your email ID. Losing this data to criminal groups can threaten both of your money and safety.
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Over the last few years, more allegations have been raised against different social media and other companies that provide services via android apps. Currently, different renowned social media/networking companies around the world are facing allegations of stealing their users’ private information. Pathao, a renowned Bangladeshi ride-sharing app, has been accused of collecting its customers’ private information beyond what it needs.
Nowadays, many people tend to store financial account and payment information on their Smartphone devices. When such data gets compromised, it can be devastating for the victims. The criminal gangs can collect the financial information to rob money and/or commit other crimes. A person can even become a prey of blackmail or serious spam from information theft.
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10 Android Apps that can leak users’ information
There are thousands of android apps designed to phish users’ private data. We have chosen the 10 most popular ones that you should stop using right now if you are already a subscriber.
Pip Photo
It is an innocent-looking photo editing app that has gained much popularity for having interesting and helpful features. But recently, online security experts have advised for being cautious while using this app. Experts requests the users to be more careful while allowing permissions that the app asks for after installation. If any requiring permission seems to be unnecessary, users should avoid that. In simple words, it would be safe, if you can avoid using Pip Photo.
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Rubbish Cleaner
Memory cleaner or speed-up apps have been quite popular among smartphone users. People want to utilize their phone’s maximum speed. Therefore, many Smartphone-users tend to download and install apps. These applications clear the cache memory and turn off different unnecessary background features of a phone to ensure its max speed.
However, not all memory cleaner and/ speed booster apps are safe. The app called ‘Rubbish Cleaner’ has crossed its limit threatening the phone’s privacy and security.
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Inwell Fitness
Inwell Fitness is an aerobic weight exercise program that claims to improve its subscribers’ physical and mental fitness. However, the app has been alleged to do quite the contrary. It has been disclosing its more than 100,000 users’ information to different agencies. Google Play store has banned Inwell Fitness for this security concern.
Processing Photo
It is another photo editing app that has been downloaded 5M times worldwide. From the number of downloads, it’s evident that the ‘Processing Photo’ app is user-friendly and provides much value to its users. But behind its friendly face, it plays a rather dangerous game with the users. It is also enlisted as a harmful app, and people are advised not to install it.
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Wallpaper Apps
Wallpaper apps are accused of being one of the most popular sources of mobile phone malware. In 2018, such apps infected more than 200K users. This prompted Google to run an investigation about these apps. The result made google ban numerous wallpaper applications from the PlayStore. You should still be cautious while downloading such apps.
Lockit Master
Lockit Master is simply a screen locker app. It lets users set passwords and screen patterns to unlock the phone after the screen gets locked. This app has also made its way in the list of harmful apps. To protect your data you must avoid using it. It would be best to use the similar built-in feature of an android app.
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App Lock Keep
This is another app that was meant to provide more privacy to the users. Thousands of people around the world have installed this app to lock different features like galleries, message boxes, and other applications. But ‘App Lock Keeep’ has been accused of spying on the user’s personal data and leaking them.
Horoscope Daily
Too many people love to believe in horoscopes and want to know how their upcoming years, weeks, and days will go. Horoscope Daily is a ‘horoscope app’ that gives people such information. However, in return, this app gathers users’ diverse personal information like date of birth, sex, personal preferences, email ID, etc. It would be wise, if you can avoid using this app.
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Horoscope Pi
Horoscope Pi is similar to the Horoscope Daily. It tells people about different problems they are going through or about to happen in their lives and provides a solution for those problems. Horoscope Pi is a threat to your Facebook login and password. So, stay aware.
How to avoid the security risk while using android apps
When it comes to the question of preventing the android app from stealing your information, you are your first line of defence. All you need to do is try to be a little bit more cautious. Check which permissions you are providing to your apps. If any app asks for any access that you find totally irrelevant, uninstall the app.
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Another good piece of advice would be sticking with the core features and functionalities of your phone. Avoid installation of third-party apps to do tasks for which your phone already has a built-in feature or default app. For instance, you can easily lock screen, clean cache, turn on the flashlight using different default features/apps of your Smartphone, and there is no need for third-party apps for these.
You can also use different reliable safeguards and internet security apps. Some apps protect you from installing apps from unknown sources.
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Many apps ask you to fill up a form during the sign up or registration process. Beware of giving away your personal information while signing up or registering for an app.
Verdict
So far, we have discussed around 10 unsafe Android Apps that can steal your personal information. Besides these, there are many such useful but dangerous apps that can read and alter your information. To avoid information theft and similar kind of unwanted such situations, you have to be more careful. There are already too many aspects of our lives that we have to worry about. Make sure that the android apps you are using are not one of them.
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