Dear Carl and Reece,
Could you tell me how I can reduce the risk of downloading a rogue app?
Belinda
Thanks, Belinda, for your message. 96% of mobile users in the UK download apps from either Google Play or the Apple App Store, and there are some fantastic options to choose from. These digital giants screen apps before they upload them, but unfortunately, some scams do slip through. Hackers can cause real issues by stealing data from a person's phone by installing malware on the device.
How to avoid app scams
Before installing an app, click on the name of the developer and check to see if they've created any other apps. Do they have a privacy policy? Legitimate apps will always have one. It's worth checking out the section on data collection.
Only download apps from reputable stores such as Google Play or Apple.
Check customer reviews to see what other people are saying. Are there lots of negative comments?
How many people have downloaded the app? If the app is well known, then it will likely have a large number of downloads. Be cautious if a popular app has a small number of downloads, as this could be a fake!
Is the app asking for unnecessary or excessive access to your phone? Consider whether it's worth taking the risk.