SMART phones have made it significantly easier to fall victim to online scams, but there are several things you can do to protect your phone and yourself.
There are many apps that can be downloaded to phones and used to spread malware or steal money. It is important to watch out for warning signs.
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Some of the the apps that spread malware or malicious code are copycats of other apps to trick users into downloading them. Some apps offer attractive deals, but conceal the hard-to cancel subscription.
Fraudsters can exploit legitimate apps to steal money, information, and data.
Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram are examples of legitimate apps that can be used to scam users, as reported by AARP.
You can protect yourself by doing several things before you download an app.
Check the app’s comments, reviews, and look for any negative ones. Users who have been scammed previously can use that space as a warning.
A lot of positive reviews could be a warning sign. However, fake reviews are possible.
It is important to verify where the app came from. Also, downloading apps from websites is not always the best choice.
The safest place to download apps is from an official app store like Apple’s App Store for iOS, and the Google Play Store for Android, experts say.
Apple’s App Store is safer than the Google Play Store. This is because Apple requires more information from developers before their product can be added to the platform.
But even the Apple app store isn’t completely safe: a recentWashington Postanalysis found that two percent of the 1,000 highest-grossing apps on the App Store are scams, and a estimated $48 million were stolen.
Hidden fees and subscriptions should also be avoided when downloading free apps.
It is important to read the terms and conditions as well as the in-app purchase descriptions before you download any app that offers free services or products.
It is also important to monitor your subscriptions. You can find them in the settings tab for iPhones and the Play Store app on Android.
To keep your phone safe, be careful when you’re asked to send money.
These requests may come from an alleged Amazon employee, or from the IRS.
You should not use an app to send money if you aren’t certain you can trust.
Apps such as Cash App and Venmo may be legitimate, but fraudsters can use them to scam users into sending money.
Be cautious if someone asks you for a transfer of your conversation or interaction to another platform than the one where you first met.
This could be done to prevent monitoring or to convince you to install malware.
Keep your information private, including contact and location information. This will help you to stay safe.
Many apps will ask you to share your address. Given that most people carry their phones everywhere, this is a way for you to give up your privacy.
Scammers could also use your data to target you with scams or advertisements.
A good way to protect your devices is to use the most current security software.
To protect your data, experts recommend that Android users use security software like an antivirus program or virtual private network (VPN).
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