Be Careful Which Mobile Apps You Install

[Kristiyana]

As long as you use common sence, you should be fine.
If a game asks for file permissions, deny them. If a seamless fun app requires any permissions, other than the use of your wifi, deny them.
Food delivery apps have no place asking for any permissions except your location

That's really funny though, remember there are some applications that doesn't work except you give them the permission to access your files. Of course there are applications like that, however for us to play safe I think we just need to avoid all this random applications that we are not even sure of the source they came from. Because is only when we are making use of this random applications that we will be scared of granting them the permission to access our file.

[SilverCryptoBullet]

That's really funny though, remember there are some applications that doesn't work except you give them the permission to access your files. Of course there are applications like that, however for us to play safe I think we just need to avoid all this random applications that we are not even sure of the source they came from. Because is only when we are making use of this random applications that we will be scared of granting them the permission to access our file.

You can do it by two ways.

The first way but most important rule too, is use a device for exploration new applications, and you must never store big fund on that device in either bank account, centralized exchange or cryptocurrency wallets. You can choose "Always allow access" if you have one device for this exploration purpose because it won't harm you anything if the device is compromised.

The second way, that is more risky and not recommended, when you are unable to assign a device like a first way. You can choose "Only allow this time", that is inconvenient but it reduces risk.

Anyway if possible, you have to prioritize using a first way.

[Callido]

Since we may not stay and begin searching for apps to download, there is always a link that directs users to download this app, ads are one way while browsing, some websites automatically direct you to review and redirect you where to download apps, now if the ads should be catchy enough the user will be enticed to download the app. Most of the apps being promoted as ads are usually unsafe ones, like the earning platforms or some crypto related application, the worst mistake for anybody is accepting the download.

[Pmalek]

I have attached a screenshot of some regular apps installed on my mobile phone that were detected by Norton 360 app as data harvesting apps, even among them are popular exchange platform apps like Binance, This serves as a reminder for everyone to be cautious that anything connected to the internet and not open-source can be potential risks and invasion of privacy.

Data harvesting, selling, and sharing personal information of users has become a normal thing nowadays and many apps do it. They make money on the data they get from your use of their apps. They then share or sell this data to advertisers or services like Google, Meta, etc. It's a hard thing to avoid and I don't see it becoming easier in the future.

[apogio]

There are many things that can go wrong with mobile apps.
I 've seen electrum APKs around the internet which are essentially scam apps.
I 've personally lost 36,000 sats after downloading Green Wallet .apk, in order to install it on an android device. Later, I found out that this specific link and .apk was malicious. I didn't try to find what happened, but my money was somehow lost... Anyway.

[Cryptohygenic]

More precisely, these apps scanned photos from phone galleries, looking for recovery phrases to steal. If you are thinking, I am not taking pictures of seed phrases, so this can’t happen to me. Think again!

Accorded and conspicuously that is one main reason why your wallets does not permit taking screenshots of seed phrase in the screen.
The intention is to safeguard users from the malware softwares in your device.
Some people can be ignorant to that reaction without realizing the security threats of having your seed phrase stored in the mobile device picturially. Instead they manipulates that breach by writing down the seed phrase in a paper and still take a shot if it
So it is noted that whoever on the act and having such spying app on their devices are at risk.

[pawanjain]

Mobile phones are probably the worst option to store seed phrases on.
Installing a hot-wallet can be viable option for smaller transactions but we should avoid storing our seed phrases in our mobile device.
I don't install unwanted apps on my mobile phone but I have seen a lot of people doing it.
People even install apps for things they can do online directly which is something I don't get why they do it.
A lot of people are compromising on their privacy and security unknowingly which is a major concern.

[apogio]

Mobile phones are probably the worst option to store seed phrases on.

Any digital device for storing seed phrases is almost all the time not recommended.

But, as far as software wallets are concerned, I will probably surprise you but our smartphones are much safer than our PCs.

For futher explanation, allow mr. Antonopoulos to express himself on this matter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt-zXEsJ61U *


* the q/a starts at 2:47

[Queentoshi]

Never trust a device that's connected to internet.

It's surprising that even seemingly harmless apps like food delivery and AI apps could even be compromised. The fact that these infected apps passed security checks and were downloaded so many times is what surprises me, so we are expected to be more vigilant about what we install on our devices. It is good to stay informed and take careful steps to protect our privacy and really good security when using mobile apps.

The idea that every app acts as some form of spyware is a problem that more people are becoming aware of. Remember that, while some data collection can enhance user experience, it also raises questions about our privacy and security. So, at this point, being cautious with our online presence and understanding the implications of using connected devices are our best options. Trusting a device connected to the internet can be tricky, so always review app permissions and consider what kind of information we’re comfortable sharing.

[Ojima-ojo]

The problem is that despite the large number of downloads, it cannot be said that the applications are safe, especially for beginners, as I know many people trust cloud services with their banking data and wallet seeds.
AI applications will be the next target for these hackers.

AI is already the target for hackers and AI applications have become the safe havens for hackers to stage the next big pull from the internet, the warnings should be more pronounced because both newbies and OGs are becoming victims of this sort of AI vulnerability already.

Many app store users simply download apps randomly without even reading some end users' reviews on those apps, most of the virus-infected apps are being reported or given negative reviews if only one can read through all app reviews before downloading them.

[Ndabagi01]

~snip

The biggest problem with installing malicious apps or apps that have some malicious properties is actually the kind of administrator and system permissions you Grant them during installation. The problem is most times when newbies install applications on their devices the usually don't even read the prompt they get and end up giving permissions to every single request the app makes and in the end the app is granted some odd permissions without their notice.

You’re right and this does not only apply to newbies only but also those that use their mobile phones for most of their crypto activities and save their seed phrase as pictures in their mobile devices. It is much easier to save your seed phrase in your gallery as updated smart phones now can allow you to search pictures from your gallery just by remembering a word on the picture saved, and you can easily copy and paste them also into other devices. This makes everything easier for a user but the risky part of it is in this apps that hide maliciously to steal your seed phrase from your device.

This problem in particular is us not knowing why the real intentions of such malicious apps are and would allow them have access to anything in the phone just for the smooth running of the application in our mobile devices. I wouldn’t have also thought of such but with the advance technological world we are in now, anything is possible and one needs to be extra careful with their seed phrases that are saved as pictures in the phones. The safest way it to not take pictures of seed phrase and save in the phone and also know to how far the permissions you grant to applications in your mobile devices.

[tabas]

Many app store users simply download apps randomly without even reading some end users' reviews on those apps, most of the virus-infected apps are being reported or given negative reviews if only one can read through all app reviews before downloading them.

The problem with most of the reviews is that they're all decoyed and faked by the developers themselves. It's not that hard to get users to review them with very good reviews or they can do it on their own. And that's why even if the app and descriptions themselves are suspicious, someone who's going to base his/her decision before downloading through those, might still become a victim of it. We need to be vigilant and always verify the contents of it and always research if not confident with what it has got inside. Thanks to the forum and other sources that exposes these harmful apps.

[Franctoshi]

Never trust a device that's connected to internet.

It's surprising that even seemingly harmless apps like food delivery and AI apps could even be compromised. The fact that these infected apps passed security checks and were downloaded so many times is what surprises me, so we are expected to be more vigilant about what we install on our devices. It is good to stay informed and take careful steps to protect our privacy and really good security when using mobile apps.

The idea that every app acts as some form of spyware is a problem that more people are becoming aware of. Remember that, while some data collection can enhance user experience, it also raises questions about our privacy and security. So, at this point, being cautious with our online presence and understanding the implications of using connected devices are our best options. Trusting a device connected to the internet can be tricky, so always review app permissions and consider what kind of information we’re comfortable sharing.

See where the sneaky part is, Even some of these Apps would want you to grant them all access to your photos and videos and that's where I usually disagree with them, I normally only grant them limited access to my photos and videons while using the Apps.
I don't save important screenshots and photos of anything related to my cryptos in the device that I have my crypto Apps or save any sort of screenshot that contains seed phrases, and that's a good way to avoid being a target for this malicious act by so many apps in disguise as being a legit Apps.

[Pmalek]

See where the sneaky part is, Even some of these Apps would want you to grant them all access to your photos and videos and that's where I usually disagree with them, I normally only grant them limited access to my photos and videons while using the Apps.

That just seems safer but isn't necessarily the way to go. There could be enough time for the app to search your gallery and look for sensitive data during the time you have it open and interact with it. It's not a manual process where a person on the other side sits and looks at your photos. It's an automated search that surely doesn't take a long time to complete and sends whatever fits the algorithm to the malicious party.

[arwin100]

See where the sneaky part is, Even some of these Apps would want you to grant them all access to your photos and videos and that's where I usually disagree with them, I normally only grant them limited access to my photos and videons while using the Apps.

That just seems safer but isn't necessarily the way to go. There could be enough time for the app to search your gallery and look for sensitive data during the time you have it open and interact with it. It's not a manual process where a person on the other side sits and looks at your photos. It's an automated search that surely doesn't take a long time to complete and sends whatever fits the algorithm to the malicious party.

I guess to avoid situation you mentioned is to have separate device to download those mobile apps that we think need also with other risky things that we want to try. Since by doing this for sure we will provably face those possible consequence like what you have mentioned and we also we can avoid those malicious or those compromise app to access on our  videos,photo's and other important files.

We need to take those possible option that can make us safe since hackers now are so innovative and could find some ways to exploit people. That's why we also know what are other options needed to do so we can potentially escape being potential victim of those criminals.

[Die_empty]

See where the sneaky part is, Even some of these Apps would want you to grant them all access to your photos and videos and that's where I usually disagree with them, I normally only grant them limited access to my photos and videons while using the Apps.

That just seems safer but isn't necessarily the way to go. There could be enough time for the app to search your gallery and look for sensitive data during the time you have it open and interact with it. It's not a manual process where a person on the other side sits and looks at your photos. It's an automated search that surely doesn't take a long time to complete and sends whatever fits the algorithm to the malicious party.

I wouldn't want to give even partial permission if the phone contains sensitive information. Maybe having separate phones for different activities might'be another secure option. These days some of the highly used services have apps and sometime you might really need the app. Having a separate phone which might contain financial and other sensitive information and will never be used to download unnecessary or untrustworthy apps. You can have a phone that is dedicated to commonly used apps since there is no vital information in it.

[pawanjain]

Mobile phones are probably the worst option to store seed phrases on.

Any digital device for storing seed phrases is almost all the time not recommended.

But, as far as software wallets are concerned, I will probably surprise you but our smartphones are much safer than our PCs.

For futher explanation, allow mr. Antonopoulos to express himself on this matter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt-zXEsJ61U *


* the q/a starts at 2:47

Yeah, I kinda figured that out. Android phones are based on Linux and iphones are pm iOS which are secure than windows.
So it kinda make sense running a hot wallet on mobile phones instead of desktop.
But hackers have updated their skills and designed keyloggers for mobile phones too.
This is why we must avoid installing unnecessary apps on our phones and consider buying a hardware wallet to store a major part of our portfolio.

[apogio]

But hackers have updated their skills and designed keyloggers for mobile phones too.
This is why we must avoid installing unnecessary apps on our phones and consider buying a hardware wallet to store a major part of our portfolio.

Absolutely, we shouldn't feel safe anyways.
But the point is that a laptop is more prone to hacking than a phone.
I don't really know lots of hacking accidents on phones, but I know too many on computers. I was a victim on both systems, but in both situations it was solely my mistake.

[Zoomic]

-   Don’t install apps you don’t need and just for fun.
-   Stay away from brand-new apps.
-   If you can use a service from its website, do that. An app isn’t always necessary.

Technology is becoming scarier by the day. At this point, the best solution to avoid becoming a victim of hackers is to have a separate device for storing all important information, including financial details. This way, there would be no need to download anything into that very device that could access our files and steal from us at the slightest opportunity. This is the only way because we cannot completely avoid downloading stuff for personal and work use.

[mvdheuvel1983]

-   Don’t install apps you don’t need and just for fun.
-   Stay away from brand-new apps.
-   If you can use a service from its website, do that. An app isn’t always necessary.

Technology is becoming scarier by the day. At this point, the best solution to avoid becoming a victim of hackers is to have a separate device for storing all important information, including financial details. This way, there would be no need to download anything into that very device that could access our files and steal from us at the slightest opportunity. This is the only way because we cannot completely avoid downloading stuff for personal and work use.

Even after you have gotten a new device to separate your important information and financial details you still need to protect the device from criminals because if they get hold of the device every thing will be lost. There's no better way to prevent unfortunate situations that would lead to loss of importance things rather than being careful of everything, you can do everything to prevent hackers from having access to your information and you can be smart to escape criminals from stealing from you but you also need to consider your environment by this I mean your house where you keep your device, some people's information go out from he devices they keep in their home you have to protect the things you keep at home and make sure no one has access to it if you want it to be safe.