These Chinese-owned apps are dangerous — Get them off your phone
TikTok has been facing significant backlash worldwide for collecting data on its users. It’s already been banned from government and military devices in the U.S., and there’s been a push for its Chinese owners to sell their shares in the company. Here’s what’s happening so far.
Another Chinese app landed in hot water this week but for different reasons. Google went so far as to remove the app from its store. Here’s what you need to know.
China’s Amazon is bad news
Pinduoduo, a Chinese e-commerce app, has been pulled from Google Play Store over security concerns. While Google Play is unavailable in China, a spokesperson told TechCrunch that “off-Play versions of this app that have been found to contain malware have been enforced on via Google Play Protect.”
Google advises that anyone with the Pinduoduo app uninstall it, and we echo that sentiment. Pinduoduo is not the only Chinese e-commerce app to worry about, however.
Temu, too
A doorbell camera for $12? Memory cards for $3? Sounds too good to be true, right? That’s because it is.
You’ll find prices like this on an e-commerce app called Temu. Have you heard of it? It’s the most downloaded shopping app in the U.S., beating out Walmart and Target. It’s been downloaded 24 million times since launching in September.
Temu says it keeps prices low by allowing Chinese vendors to sell directly to consumers. And that makes sense when you consider this: though the company is based in the U.S., Temu is owned by PDD Holdings, which also owns Pinduoduo. There it is!
Dirt-cheap electronics should raise alarm bells, but if you need more proof, check out its abysmal rating and customer reviews at the Better Business Bureau. To make matters worse, Temu does not support two-factor authentication (2FA). That makes your account so much easier for thieves to breach. No Bueno!
As Kim said, you get what you pay for.
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Surprise: Study shows app stores are full of fake reviews
Exploring your favorite app store can be fun, but you can’t trust everything you see online. There are tons of malicious apps with fake reviews on official app stores. It’s not just Google Play, either. A recent report has shown that you can find phony reviews everywhere. Who can you trust?
The FBI just put out a warning - Do you play these games on your phone?
Unauthorized in-app purchases and shady games are always hazards to be wary of when exploring the App Store or Google Play Store. The FBI just released a warning to anybody trying play-to-earn games. The publishers may use nefarious tactics to steal tons of cash from you.
This messaging app was leaking customer voice data. Is it on your phone?
In addition to remaining in contact with friends and family on social media, some apps let you send voice messages without racking up fees. But it turns out that one of these apps isn’t as secure as initially thought.
Don't use these shady health tracker apps with 10 mil downloads
We’re in the first month of a new year, and you know what that means. Tons of people are focusing on fitness and living a healthier lifestyle. Many turn to health-tracking apps for guidance. Unfortunately, some popular health trackers have been caught spreading adware.
Delete this productivity app NOW
Like millions of other Americans, you probably made a few resolutions entering the new year. If you want to start 2023 right, include better cybersecurity on your to-do list.
Start by deleting these five redundant apps from your smartphone. That’s just the beginning. A productivity app that made its way to an official app store was recently caught hiding malware. It’s designed to steal banking credentials to rip you off. If you have it on your device, remove it ASAP!
Don't want to use Google Pay? Samsung has its own digital wallet app
Samsung Wallet is a hybrid of two existing apps: Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass. This all-in-one app allows you to pay in multiple ways and store sensitive information. But how does it work?
If your Galaxy smartphone is compatible with Samsung Pay (Android 9 or above, not available on iOS), you can use Samsung Wallet.
Malware is hidden in these fake apps that impersonate the real versions
Malware comes in many different forms. But it always has the same objective. To rip you off.
If you think you have a device infected with malware, you must remove it ASAP. Tap or click here for steps to remove malware from your phone or computer. Better yet, we all need to take preventative measures to avoid malware before it’s too late.
This app that promises you money for watching videos is a scam
As the holidays inch closer, many people are looking for ways to make some extra cash. Legitimate side hustles can help put extra money in your pocket. Tap or click here for 15 suggestions.
But one trendy way to easily earn money isn’t what it claims to be. An app that promises you’ll get paid just for watching videos is actually hiding malware.
This fake texting app hides malware that steals your number
Two-factor authentication (2FA)is one of the best methods for keeping your accounts safe from cybercriminals. It’s an added layer of protection beyond passwords that requires another way to prove who you are when logging into online accounts.
More password-stealing apps spotted - Check your phone
You probably have apps on your phone that you never use or perform the same function as programs that came with your device. All those extra apps are just slowing things down. Tap or click here for steps to keep your phone fast and safe.
Do this now with your Amazon storage so you don't lose everything
Next year, the Amazon Drive shutdown could wipe away your photos, files and other important documents. On the bright side, Amazon Prime users have time to take action. The company will permanently stop supporting Amazon Drive on Dec. 31, 2023.
Check your phone! Malware apps with millions of downloads spotted
Four dangerous Android apps were downloaded over 1 million times. Cybersecurity researchers discovered that these apps would redirect you to malicious websites to steal your data and annoy you with adware. Check this malicious apps list for 2022 to ensure you’re safe.
If you see this app warning on your phone, DO NOT ignore it
Malware droppers are hard to spot in the wild. They disguise themselves as legitimate login screens, fooling even the savviest of techies. Luckily, Google is making it easier to thwart hackers with a new malware warning.
These 16 malware-infected apps have 20 million downloads
Apps hiding malware are becoming a common problem. Malicious apps like these have been around in third-party app stores for a while. But official app stores are supposed to protect us from bad actors getting to our devices.
Malware is still a huge problem for Android – Here’s what to watch for
While iOS devices aren’t immune from malware, Android gadgets are still the most targeted by hackers. Due to how Google structures the Android ecosystem and the billions of devices using it, it’s a lucrative industry for criminals.
App warning! 52 dangerous downloads spotted - Check your phone
While the safest place to download apps is from an official store, this is not always foolproof. Hackers and scammers can slip in malicious apps and cause severe damage before they’re caught.
Getting an app onto the Google Play Store is easier when compared to Apple’s App Store. Apple has higher standards for entry plus iOS is a closed ecosystem, while Android is open source. Tap or click here for eight dangerous malware apps you need to remove right now.
Here’s why one-third of apps could disappear from iOS and Android stores
Millions of apps are available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Naturally, not all of them are of the highest quality, with a few simply terrible or severely outdated. You might wonder why these types of apps are still available.
Google is banning this popular type of app from the Play Store
Tons of apps are available for Android devices, spanning various categories from games and daily planners to smart home apps. You might even run into some spoofed apps created by hackers.
Most app categories have specific purposes in mind. For example, did you know there is a category dedicated to comics? There is also a section for casino games, and there are nearly 5,000 apps in the parenting category.
This PC ‘toolbox’ is hiding malware that secretly generates revenue
The launch of Windows 11 might not have been as smooth as Microsoft anticipated, but users were nonetheless excited to tinker with the new features. One of these, exclusive to the latest operating system, is the ability to run Android apps on a desktop PC.