What are malicious apps? How dangerous are they?

There are billions of people around the world who have smartphones, computers, and tablets. These devices rely heavily on software applications to operate and provide the capabilities that users love. With thousands of great apps out there, cybercriminals have also developed their own dangerous versions of common phone programs, called malicious apps.

So what are malicious apps and how can you stay away from them?

What are malicious apps?

As you might have guessed, a malicious app is a software application designed to harm the devices on which it is installed.

These apps are sometimes advertised on untrustworthy websites, but can even find their way to the most popular platforms, such as the Apple App Store and Google Play. Such online stores often try to minimize the spread of dangerous applications, but there are still loopholes.

All malicious applications pose risks, but not all of them are the same. Malicious applications are designed to perform different actions.

For example, a malicious application could in fact be a spyware program disguised as something else. Spyware is used to monitor the activity of an infected device. For example, on a smartphone, this might involve logging text messages, login information, photos or videos taken, etc.

This can also be considered a Trojan (or Trojan Horse). These programs are designed to appear harmless, but hide dangerous code in the background that can exploit devices without the user even realizing it. For example, you can install a seemingly harmless VPN app and regularly run it on your device. If it's a Trojan app, it could be monitoring your online activity, logging keystrokes, and even launching additional malicious programs.

Additionally, a malicious app can be used to deploy ransomware, adware, or similar dangerous programs on the device. Once malware infects a device, it can work to exploit users, either by stealing their data or carrying out threats.

Are all malicious apps created by hackers?

It's important to note here that not all sketchy apps are completely malicious. Some apps are simply poorly designed and their security features aren't strong enough to protect you and your data. Additionally, some apps are not designed to cause harm but require certain permissions to function which can put you at risk.

For example, a video calling app might request access to your contacts, or a photo editing app might request access to your device's gallery. In many cases, this won't threaten the safety of the data, but if the app exceeds some privacy limits or doesn't store data securely, things can easily get worse. It's easy for mistakes to happen, especially if the application itself is targeted by attackers.

While some malicious apps do not receive many installs, others can very effectively trick users into installing them, allowing for widespread exploitation.

How common are malicious apps?

Unfortunately, malicious apps are quite common these days, even on legitimate platforms. As demand for applications increases, cybercriminals continue to attack this market. So how often do these applications appear? Are there any notable examples?

In August 2022, multiple outlets reported that 35 malicious apps may have infected millions of devices. This major threat, discovered by Bitdefender, has seen over two million malicious app downloads on the Google Play Store. Some are photo editing apps, others offer GPS capabilities, some offer custom wallpapers and keyboards.

Further, in 2019, an incident arose regarding the infection of a shocking 25 million Android devices. At the time, The Verge reported that a type of malware, known as "Agent Smith", had managed to infect millions of Android devices by hacking apps and forcing them to display many ads. fraudulent substance. Fortunately, Agent Smith can be removed from Android devices, but its ability to infect so many devices shows just how dangerous malicious apps can be and how effectively they can be deployed. declare.

So if malicious apps are so common, is there any way to detect or avoid them? How can you keep yourself safe?

How to stay away from malicious apps

The first step you should take to avoid malicious apps is to know the telltale signs of these dangerous software programs, starting with the number of downloads.

On most app stores, you can see how many installs a given app has had. If you notice that an app you want to install has an unusually low number of downloads, it might be because it's a new app that hasn't been tested and rated by many users. In this case, it is best to avoid installation for the time being.

Additionally, you should always consider user reviews before installing any app. User reviews can be invaluable in many business activities, such as online shopping, recruitment services, and of course app installations. If you notice that many users comment about the app's slowness, unusual permission requests, or the like, then you may be dealing with something malicious or at least risky.

You should also do a little research about the apps before downloading them. While they may seem harmless on the surface, you may find reviews and disclosures about the security integrity of the app.

You should also pay attention to suspicious signs on installed applications. If you continually receive pop-up ads, are asked for unusual permissions (such as access to your texts and emails), experience frequent crashes or slowdowns, you may are encountering a malicious application.

Malicious apps can also drain your battery very quickly, so keep an eye on how your device's battery is affected when you're using an app.