These three seemingly harmless apps are spying on your data

Games, Weather & Co.

Delete it from your phone immediately! These three seemingly harmless apps collect your data

Today 27 March 2024 | 06:43

You should not restrict your use of your cell phone's software. Some apps on iOS devices, as well as Android phones, can be risky and easily make you a victim of mobile phone surveillance. Spy apps in particular often stand out because they appear harmless and not particularly obvious. So the chance of discovering it yourself is rather slim.

Hidden spy apps: Be careful with three categories

Experts like Caleb Barlow, former vice president of IBM Security, recommend using only legitimate sources and paying attention to download numbers and ratings. It would be ideal if everything you download to your smartphone has been used and reviewed thousands of times.

advertisement

Barlow has another tip on what to do after a download: “Be meticulous when it comes to access permissions and check app access regularly.” The following samples are able to do this because their simple function means they hardly arouse suspicion.

Spy App #1: Flash Apps

There are additional applications for flashlight functions. But the fact is that your phone has its own light and flash, so there is no reason to download a potential spy app like this. According to a Wired report from 2014, the software exists primarily to collect personal data and thus facilitate cell phone monitoring.

Harold Lee, vice president of ExpressVPN, also advises against it, according to Reader's Digest: “Free Flash applications often pose high security risks. Many of these applications (…) require access permissions such as audio recordings and contact information (… When users install these apps, they risk sharing their personal data with app developers who make money selling the data to advertisers.

advertisement

Spy App #2: Weather Apps

At first glance, it seems logical for weather apps to link to your location. After all, these apps should output the weather report for your area. However, if popular apps of this type also record your name, email address, or postal address, you can talk about spy and cell phone monitoring apps.

“Check your weather apps,” advises Shane Sherman, CEO of TechLoris. “There have been many different weather apps containing trojans and malware. Best to check your local weather forecast.”

Spy App #3: Popular Games

Even popular gaming apps like Angry Birds can hide sophisticated mobile monitoring. According to reports, they not only collect your personal information but also share it. Angry Birds was hacked by the NSA because the game's database is too large, according to Entrepreneur.

“When Snowden (…) highlighted the agency’s surveillance methods, he explicitly mentioned the Angry Birds apps, and this is specifically the app that the NSA uses to collect personal data from its users,” Attila Tomaszek also confirms, Digital Security. Expert in ProPrivacy.

You can simply delete the app if you have installed it. However, the developers say they have fixed the vulnerability that enabled the data leak. Anyone who trusts his word can continue to use the game.

Choose apps wisely

As is often the case, it is important to be careful. You should pay attention, especially when apps require extensive access to your data when installed. If these permissions have nothing to do with the actual function of the app, it could be a spy app.

Sources: Wired, Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, own research

Written by Dana Newman