10 apps you need to remove from your phone now
Apps used to be fun add-ons to get the most out of your phone. Today, they’re vital to our everyday communication, work and play.
Sadly, it seems like every week, there’s another list of bad apps causing headaches or putting your security at risk. Phony cryptocurrency and financial apps are scammers’ latest grift. Tap or click for red flags that the app you’re about to trust your money with is a sham.
While we’re talking smartphone security, there are five tweaks every iPhone user should make. Tap or click for steps to see which apps are spying, hide your location, and close down access to your camera roll.
Now it’s time to open up your app list and start deleting the rogue ones.
1. Game and puzzle apps
Most people don’t put much thought into downloading free puzzles and game apps. But, unfortunately, that can come back to bite you in a big way when malware and other dangerous code are hiding.
Apps spreading malware want to reach as many people as possible, so it’s not uncommon to see ads for them across social media. That includes games called Rugby Pass, Flying Skateboard and Plant Monster. Tap or click for a full list of 21 bad gaming apps you need to remove from your device.
It’s not just malware. Most games collect far more information than you might realize. For example, take the super-popular Words with Friends.
This game collects the following data: purchases, contact info, user content, identifiers, diagnostics, location, contacts, browsing history, usage and “other data.” I’ll stick with real-life Scrabble.
2. CamScanner on iPhone or Android
With precise cropping and auto light adjustments, this scanner app quickly shot to popularity. CamScanner even has an ID scan template, so employees filling out new hire paperwork can quickly scan and upload sensitive documents.
Now, hold on a minute before you trust this free app with your driver’s license, financial documents, and Social Security number.
Data security tip: Best tax prep software, ranked
Tax season is in full swing. Like every tax season, scammers are on the hunt for unwitting victims. File too late and, whoops, someone already did in your name.
This year is set to be even more dangerous, with brand-new schemes already taking people for a ride. We have some warnings you can’t miss below on the biggest scams the IRS has spotted and what you can do about them.
6 software programs worth paying for
With so many software options available for your computer, it can be tough to wade through the programs to decide what the needs, wants, and wastes are — especially when it comes to programs that you have to pay for.
This sentence-polishing app keeps the grammar police at bay
Ask anyone who’s ever had to learn English as a second language and they’ll tell you it’s is full of quirks. These idiosyncrasies are a part of what gives the English language its charm — even if it can be a real headache for ESL learners or sleep-deprived freelance writers in search of a metaphor.
Calling all bookworms! 4 apps to help you read more and read faster
Walk through any bookstore, or even any library these days, and you’re likely to see more people scanning their smartphones than reading actual books. It would be all too easy to jump into a rant about shrinking attention spans, but it does seem like modern life leaves us all with less time to sit and absorb a chapter or two.
Know where your loved ones are at a glance with this GPS app
Peace of mind is a tough thing to come by these days. The world is still a generally safe place, but we hear news stories about predators both real and virtual. Small wonder the first time our kids get a smartphone is not a calming moment for parents.
This $39 course bundle can help you master Microsoft Excel
For many of us, working with spreadsheets and formulas does not come naturally. Yet, as data takes an ever bigger role in the workplace, number-crunching skills are becoming essential to many careers.
If you want to improve your data skills, the Professional Microsoft Excel Certification Training Bundle offers a great education from the comfort of home. This learning library offers 45 hours of beginner-friendly video tutorials, covering a wide range of important skills.
Can your phone help you de-stress? It can with this app
We don’t care what your daily routine is. Whether you work from home or in a bustling office, you’re dealing with cranky children or a badly-timed car breakdown, stress has a way of finding you.
Conversely, you’ve got to actively look for peace and quiet. You can find a little zen in a sudden rainbow, a setting sun or the sound of waves. And sometimes, you can find it in some pretty surprising places, too. But the most surprising place to find serenity might be your smartphone.
Finally, a virtual golf game that feels like the real deal
There’s an ever-increasing lineup of great technology out there, and no small part of it is made to entertain you. Still, for hardcore golfers there will never be a substitute for a great day out on the links.
That includes this next product, but it comes about as close as we’ve seen. And as a bonus, it might just improve your game so you can get more enjoyment out of the real thing.
Be your own accountant with this QuickBooks master class
Let’s face it: Accounting just isn’t sexy. We can’t blame you if you’re not familiar with QuickBooks, one of the most widely-used pieces of software for small business finance.
But longtime users get excited for every update, because they know what QuickBooks does best is streamline those books, automate the process and let business owners spend much less time doing accounting and more time doing literally anything else.
This time-saving app summarizes books into 15-minute reads
Some people walk into a library filled with wonder. But it’s also pretty overwhelming. So much knowledge to absorb, so little time.
These days, that knowledge is still out there, waiting to be absorbed by voracious readers. In fact, there’s more of it each day. But time is shorter than ever in this fast-paced world, especially for the movers, shakers and up-and-comers who could benefit from the business and entrepreneurial books written by their peers.
7 apps and subscriptions you'll want to use in the new year
There’re a lot of subscriptions out there clamoring for a piece of your paycheck each month — everything from the latest streaming service to cologne-of-the-month clubs.
A lot of them are frivolous, but there are services out there that actually give you a lot more than you put in.
This customizable language app lets you learn your way
Are you thinking about learning a new language? It’s never a bad idea. Being multilingual can not only be a bankable skill on your resume, it can actually make you smarter.
It can seem like there are nearly as many language learning apps out there as there are languages, and that’s good. Not everybody learns the same way. But ask yourself, how did you learn to speak growing up? Everyone used the same method for that: Listening to and mimicking a native speaker.
9 apps, gifts and recipes to make your Hanukkah brighter
Hanukkah’s here, and there’s a lot of planning that goes into the eight-day Festival of Lights. If you want to keep the little ones busy while you prepare the candles and gifts, we’ve got you covered. The best Hanukkah apps of 2022 can keep your kids or grandkids busy while you cook, clean and prepare.
Apps known to track you and steal your data
Have you ever had an app ask you to access your phone’s location? Of course you have, we all have. How about those apps that want access to your smartphone camera and contact list?
If you think about why they do this, it might creep you out. In this Komando on Demand podcast, you’ll learn the dirty secrets that some app developers don’t want you to know.