What are the Popular Android Apps Putting Consumer Privacy at Risk?


Applications are essential in today's corporate environment because of their importance. Today's applications are more than simply a way to generate money; they're also a vital link between businesses and their consumers — and, unfortunately, a target for hackers. The numbers are startling when it comes to mobile app security.

Almost three-quarters of apps would fail even the most basic security checks. At least one security issue exists in 83 percent of apps. Mobile security flaws can be detected in 91 percent of iOS apps and 95 percent of Android apps.

Data privacy is critical for every company and individual in today's linked world since there is so much at stake. As a result, it's critical to evaluate and implement mobile app security standards in your personal life as well as on workplace networks.

It's critical to be aware of app privacy settings. Apps frequently ask for permission to access personal information such as contacts, location, and even your camera when you download them. They may require this information in order for the app to function, but they may also share it with other firms.

Here's a list of some popular Android Apps that are putting consumer privacy at risk −

  • UC Browser

  • CLEANit

  • Dolphin Browser

  • Virus Cleaner - Antivirus Free & Phone Cleaner

  • SuperVPN Free VPN Client

  • RT News

  • Super Clean - Master of Cleaner

  • Fildo Music

Tips to Safeguard Your Privacy

You should take the following precautions before installing an App −

  • Download programs exclusively from official app shops, such as your device's maker or operating system's app store, to limit the chance of installing potentially hazardous apps.

  • Read the app's privacy policy before downloading to discover how your data will be used and if it will be shared.

  • Apps require your permission to access information such as your location or contacts and functionality such as your camera and microphone. When you initially download the app or when the app tries to access that information or function for the first time, you may be prompted to provide permission. Pay great attention to the permissions that have been granted.

If such an App is already installed on your phone or tablet, then you should take the following actions to preserve your privacy −

  • Review the permissions in your settings to ensure the app doesn't have access to information or functionality it doesn't require. Unnecessary permissions should be disabled. Apps that require a lot of permissions should be deleted.

  • Some applications have access to the location services on your smartphone. If an app requires access to your location data in order to function, consider restricting it to only when the app is being used.

  • Apps with out-of-date software are vulnerable to hacking. Install app updates as soon as they're available to protect your smartphone from infection.

  • If you're not using an app, uninstall it to avoid unwanted data collecting.

Information leaking was prevalent in a study of over 3,000 popular Android mobile apps. The information discovered includes passwords, user credentials, email addresses, and tokens. Malicious actors can use this information to get access to someone's servers, networks, or sensitive data in order to install malware or gain access to banking apps.

According to the research, the majority of apps (63 percent) have open-source components with known security flaws, with an average of 39 vulnerabilities per susceptible app. Nearly half (44%) have been classified as high risk because they have been actively exploited or are linked to published proof-of-concept (PoC) vulnerabilities. Only around 5% of the vulnerabilities are linked to an exploit or proof-of-concept exploit, and there is no patch available. Remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities account for 1% of all vulnerabilities.

Top free games, top-grossing games, banking apps, budgeting apps, payment applications, and top paid games all made the top six most susceptible apps list, which is alarming given their massive rise in popularity throughout the epidemic.

Updated on: 02-Jun-2022

219 Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements