Due to the advent of computer viruses, Trojan horses, Spyware, and other types of computer malware, the use of certain apps on Android and iOS has become increasingly dangerous.
There is a strict approval process for an app to become published on the Google Play Store. There are some guidelines and policies to make any app available on the Play Store.
Likewise, Google Play Store and the Apple App Store provide an even stricter check on your apps before they finally become available for download by users. These measures are necessary for the safety of users.
However, some erring developers break these set rules, go ahead and make illegal apps, and distribute them to the App Stores. These dangerous apps may cause many problems. They may infect the computer with numerous types of computer malware.
Unfortunately, some of these apps mistakenly make it to the App Stores. This leads to innocent users installing the apps, which usually poses many problems.
To save you from these problems, we've compiled a list of dangerous apps that shouldn't be on your Android or iOS smartphone.
Table of Contents
Dangerous Applications You Shouldn't Install
Dangerous Apps for Android
Secret SMS Replicator
Google banned this app because it compromised users' privacy. This app works like Spyware and can be installed on the target Android phone. Once installed, it runs in the background and replicates all incoming SMS messages on the target phone, sending them to your phone.
This app can be useful for parents wanting to monitor the activities of their children, but this goes against Google policies, and they had it removed.
Adskip For YouTube
If you think you're the only one annoyed by the adverts usually shown before any YouTube video, then you're mistaken. These developers noticed this and created an app allowing you to watch YouTube videos without waiting 5 seconds before skipping.
Brilliant, isn't it? But no, YouTubers reported this action to Google. If ads don't play, they get no pay! In response to their complaint that it may also steal your information because it requires access to your YouTube account, Google banned the app and removed it from Google Play.
Read Also: What is Ransomware? Signs and How to Remove it?
Show Box
So, you don't have sufficient cash to make your Netflix subscription. We have another app that can be used as an alternative. Showbox allows you to view all your favorite movies and shows in HD quality, even when you don't have an account.
This cheats the movie owners as they don't usually get any gains from these activities. This led to a ban on the Google Play store.
Spoof App: Get Fake Call
This app is used to call spoofing. Call spoofing is the act of calling someone with another person's mobile number.
Using any spoofing app or website is illegal and may even end one in jail.
Google Play Store banned the app when it began to gain popularity, and the usage of this app may cause harm to you and your device.
UC Browser
This may be a surprise because the UC Browser is one of the most popular web browsers on the net, with tens of millions of downloads.
However, this app can be dangerous for your device because it tracks your search queries and websites you visit and sends them to various companies. This information is sent alongside important information about your device. This poses even more threat because these data are not encrypted whatsoever.
Dangerous Apps for iPhone
Girls Around Me
Girls Around Me was developed by a Russian developer best known as i-Free. This app allows you to get information about girls around the users without their knowledge. This app lets users get as much information as the girls' details.
However, after Apple received complaints about the app due to the privacy invasion, Google banished the app from the App Store.
Driver's License
Driver's License is an app that allows you to create a fake driver's license profile using a picture, a state of your choice, and other biographical information. The fake driver's License can then be forwarded to an email address, printed, and laminated.
This free app didn't stay so long before it died in 2011 when concerned individuals and organizations decried the issue to Apple. Expectedly, they were banned and removed from the App Store.
Apart from both apps listed above, Google recently removed more than 17 apps from the App Store. These 17 apps were infected with Clicker Trojan Malware from the same developer.
The Clicker Trojan works by simply connecting the device to ad networks and inflating clicks for ads that pay on a per-click basis.
This affects the phone by slowing it down, draining the battery, and quickly exhausting mobile data.
If you have one of the following apps on your iPhone, delete them now!
- File Manager – Documents
- Smart Gps Speedometer
- CrickOne – Live Cricket Scores
- Daily Fitness – Yoga Poses
- FM Radio Pro – Internet Radio
- My Train Info – IRCTC & PNR
- Around Me Place Finder
- Easy Contacts Backup Manager
- Ramadan Times 2019 Pro
- Restaurant Finder – Find Food
- Bmt Calculator Pro – BMR Calc
- Dual Accounts Pro
- Video Editor – Mute Video
- Islamic World Pro – Qibla
- Smart Video Compressor
- Restaurant Finder – Find Food
- EMI Calculator and Loan Planner.
Any app listed here has malware or other dangerous programs unsuitable for your iPhone or Android. If you have one on your phone, uninstall it now to keep it safe and secure.
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About the Author:
Chandra Palan is an Indian-born content writer, currently based in Australia with her husband and two kids. She is a passionate writer and has been writing for the past decade, covering topics ranging from technology, cybersecurity, data privacy and more. She currently works as a content writer for SecureBlitz.com, covering the latest cyber threats and trends. With her in-depth knowledge of the industry, she strives to deliver accurate and helpful advice to her readers.
Christian Schmitz is a professional journalist and editor at SecureBlitz.com. He has a keen eye for the ever-changing cybersecurity industry and is passionate about spreading awareness of the industry's latest trends. Before joining SecureBlitz, Christian worked as a journalist for a local community newspaper in Nuremberg. Through his years of experience, Christian has developed a sharp eye for detail, an acute understanding of the cybersecurity industry, and an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information.
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