How to spot fake ChatGPT apps on the Apple App Store

ChatGPT has taken the Internet by storm after its release, and of course cyber attackers cannot ignore this lucrative prey. So how do you spot a fake ChatGPT app on the Apple App Store?

Does ChatGPT have an official iOS app?

If you want to use ChatGPT on your iPhone or Mac, you may want to install the dedicated app from OpenAI. iPhone users can install the official ChatGPT app directly from the App Store. Mac users can download the ChatGPT desktop application from OpenAI's official website; because you won't find it on the Mac App Store.

Simply put, you should be suspicious of any ChatGPT application that is not developed by OpenAI. Cybercriminals are always looking for the easiest opportunity to target a group of users to commit fraud. Currently, they are looking to make money from the popularity of ChatGPT. Therefore, you will find fake ChatGPT versions on the App Store that can lure unsuspecting users to download them.

Besides the official app, there is another way to use ChatGPT on iPhone and Mac. You can do that easily by navigating to the official website through Safari or any other browser on your Apple device.

Download : ChatGPT for iOS | macOS (Free, subscription available)

How to detect fake apps on the Apple App Store?

You should always take some precautions when downloading an app from the App Store and check whether it is a legitimate version of ChatGPT or not. Here are some ways to detect fake ChatGPT apps on the App Store.

Check the developer name

The most reliable way to identify a fake app is to check its developer name. As mentioned, at the time of writing, there is no official ChatGPT app created by OpenAi for iOS. So, if you find an app claiming to be official ChatGPT but has another developer's name, it's probably a fake version.

You can also check the developer's profile on the App Store for more information about them.

Find app reviews

How to spot fake ChatGPT apps on the Apple App Store Picture 1

The second step you should do is check the reviews of the app you want to download. To quickly spot a fake app on the Apple Store, you should always refer to the reviews section and see what other users think. If there are a bunch of negative reviews, it could be a sign that something is wrong with the app. It's also important to check that the reviews are written by real people, as fake reviews can also be deceiving. This tactic is called click farming.

Review app permissions

Another reliable way to spot fake apps on the App Store is to take a closer look at the app's permissions. If an app asks for more than what's necessary, it could be a sign that it's not legitimate. For example, a simple calculator app asking for permission to access your contacts is obviously suspicious. Similarly, why might the ChatGPT app need access to your contacts? Before downloading, check if the app actually requests access to your contacts, location data, or other sensitive data.

Check logos and grammatical errors

It's also important to check the service's logo, graphics, and description, as fake apps often use outdated logos, poor quality graphics, and have grammatical errors in the description. If you notice any discrepancies in these areas, you are likely encountering a scam version of ChatGPT.

Check the number of downloads

You can also know the reliability of an app by checking its download count. In general, apps with many downloads are more trustworthy because they have been verified and tested by other users. Fake chatbot apps often have lower downloads than legitimate ones, so this could be another sign that you're running into something fraudulent.

Verify app version and authenticity

Always make sure that the app you are downloading is the latest version and is regularly updated by the developer. Fake apps often remain unchanged for a long time, which can be a sign that something is wrong.

Finally, if an app seems too good, question it. Before downloading anything, especially apps related to chatbots and AI, you should thoroughly check its authenticity and security.

Fake ChatGPT apps can put your device's security at risk by downloading malicious code, tracking your browsing activity, and collecting private data. It is important to be aware of such fake apps on Apple's App Store, as they may contain malware or spyware, which can damage devices and even harm users. your privacy in the long run. Taking a few precautions when downloading apps can help you avoid any potential risks associated with malicious apps.

Kareem Winters

Update 01 July 2024