Mobile and computer scammers are finding new routes to reach users and spread malware in their devices. One such tool for scammers having this ability to cover a massive amount of ransomware in digital gadgets and breach privacy is through fake applications. Installing such risky apps can get you in great trouble as scammers are always ready to get access to your confidential data through these apps and demand money for ransomware removal.
Scammers are technically equipped enough to design a risky app that looks exactly like a legitimate application and is, therefore, downloaded by the users. It is essential to watch out for some minor suspicious elements before you download an app. This can keep you from getting scammed.
Here are a few elements to consider before installing any application to spot a scam before experiencing the pain of ransomware recovery.
Pay Attention to the App’s Name and Developers
Scammers often design an app with a name that is not that different from the real one. Only a close look at the name enables the users to spot a fake app. Installing such an app can trick them into giving away all their information and later paying the scammers to attain ransomware removal key for their devices. These scammers make such unidentifiable changes to the names that even a regular user cannot spot the difference. The developers of the app are an essential marker for fake apps. Always try to search the real developers of an app and cross-check before you download it.
Consider the App’s Downloads
Ratings and the number of downloads of an app can reveal much about it. Fake apps naturally have fewer ratings and downloads than legitimate ones. This trick can make it sufficiently easier to spot a counterfeit of any fake app. However, in case of an app that is not downloaded in large numbers, users have to take other aspects into consideration too. Soon after you spot any such fake app and are sure of it being a scam, do not wait a minute more and report it to the concerned cybersecurity services or contact the app store.
Read the App’s Description
Mostly, a fake app’s description raises suspicion right after you read it. Either it is written too mechanically or shows the writer’s loose grip in the English language. Once any such thing catches your attention, do no install such an app.
Read the App’s Reviews
Reading the user reviews about apps will surely help. Fake apps usually have a few reviews full of praises, but a lot of other real reviews by those who have been victimized by the app.
Upon spotting a fake app, it’s better to share with others and especially report it to the cybersecurity services so that others don’t get scammed.
