There is no doubt that app downloads have increased significantly in recent years. However, this rise also comes with an increase in the number of fake apps being created. How can you tell if an app is fake? And how can you protect yourself from downloading a fraudulent app?
Let’s explore the reasons why.
Why there is an increase in app downloads
Since 2021, the number of people with a smartphone has increased from 6.4 billion. This means that a majority of these smartphone users can now download new apps and keep them on their devices for later use.
There is an increasing number of low-cost smartphones on the market. This has led to an increase in the number of middle and low-income groups who can have access to a smartphone by using different payment plans.
In 2021, people spent 4.2 hours per day on the usage of their apps and this rate is 30% more than the amount of time spent on smartphones in 2019!
How do fake apps get created?
A fraudulent app is an app that has been designed to look like a real, popular app to trick users into downloading it.
The apps have similar names and colors to existing apps and mislead people into thinking that they are genuine. Some of these fake apps can steal a person's banking information or other sensitive data by pretending to be legitimate apps.
What are some warning signs of fake apps?
1. The app does not have an official website
Every popular, functional app should have an official website where users can get access to more information about the developers.
If you download an app but cannot find any sort of official site for it, then that is a cause for concern. You should not download that app until you find an official site for it.
2. The app takes up too much space on your device
Another indicator of a fake app is the amount of storage space required to store the app on your device. Be wary of apps that ask for more than 100MB of storage space. Most popular, functional apps require less than 30MB of storage space.
3. The app asks for too many permissions
A fake or fraudulent app will ask for a lot of permissions from the user/device when it is downloaded to a person's phone. It is recommended that you download an app only if it asks for permission to access your camera or cellular data.
You should also double-check the permissions that are requested by the app in case they have been tampered with by a developer.
4. The app has very few if any, user reviews
People who use apps regularly will leave comments or reviews about their experiences using certain apps. If an app has very few or no reviews, then it is a cause for concern.
An app with a lot of negative feedback suggests that it is fraudulent. It should not be downloaded to your device.
5. The app's ratings are low
If an app has been rated poorly, then that is another sign that the app could be fraudulent/fake. All functional, popular apps have high ratings, with many people rating them 5 stars.
How can you protect yourself?
1. Do not download an app that does not have an official website
Every popular, functional app has an official site where users can get access to more information about the developers of the app. If you cannot find an official site for an app then that is a cause for concern. You should not download that app until you find the official site.
2. Ensure that the amount of space required to store an app on your device does not exceed 100MB
Most functional apps require less than 30MB of space on your device so anything more than 100MB suggests that the app may not be genuine.
3. Only download an app if it only asks for permission to access your camera or cellular data
Some apps can steal a person's banking information by pretending to be a real application.
It is recommended that you download an app only if it asks for permission to access your camera or cellular data, and double-check the permissions that are asked for by the app in case they have been tampered with.
4. Check the ratings of an app before you download it
All functional apps have high ratings, with many people rating them 5 stars. If an app has been rated poorly then that is a clear sign that it may not be genuine.
5. The app's developer information is suspicious
Every popular, functional app should have a "developer" section that contains more detailed information about the people who created that specific application.
If the "developer" section only provides the name of the individual and nothing else, then you should not download that app to your device.
Conclusion
The rise in the number of app downloads happening across the globe is a cause for concern because people who download apps on their devices may be tricked into downloading fake or fraudulent applications.
Always ensure that you download an app only if it has an official website and low space requirements, as well as asking for permission to access your camera/cellular data and high ratings (5 stars). Using these tips will allow you to spot fake apps and keep your device safe.
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