Be Careful Which Mobile Apps You Install

[Coyster]

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.

That has always been the solution, but it is not just about having a separate device, some people make that mistake; it is about using an airgapped device, if the device is not airgapped and still connected to the internet, even if you don't download any application on it, it definitely still carries a risk.

There are some bitcoiners who think that keeping a device offline more often than not, and only connecting it to the internet a few times for a short time, means it is safe, but it is not, the wallet on that device is still a hot wallet.

[Felicity_Tide]

Thanks for this info.
I have been very sceptical about so many applications these days, especially when they start asking for too many permissions and access. I think we all have to understand how important our security is. I'm personally not a fan of having too many applications both on phone and PCs, which even gives me zero interest in large memory sizes of devices. Most people, especially ones with zero knowledge believe there is a need to install as many applications as possible, just because their device have enough space to accommodate them.

And it still surprises me, when I see people snapping their seed phrase with their camera, thinking it's the best way to keep it safe. Not so many of them understand the importance of their digital security and flaws that can be caused due to their own mistakes and negligence.

[suzanne5223]

One major source of this problem is the Google PlayStore and Apple Store because they never examine all the mobile apps on their platforms.
While Kaspersky Lab has exposed several shady applications with malicious intentions, I see them as one of the best internet security providers due to the role they play in protecting internet users.
 I dont know why Google PlayStore removed their internet security app when Kaspersky was one of the platforms that were doing the examining mobile app Google PlayStore ignored doing.

[Pmalek]

That has always been the solution, but it is not just about having a separate device, some people make that mistake; it is about using an airgapped device, if the device is not airgapped and still connected to the internet, even if you don't download any application on it, it definitely still carries a risk.

We are talking about smartphones and mobile apps here. An airgapped device shouldn't have the possibility to access the internet. That means that the necessary hardware ought to be removed. That's not something people do with mobile phones. Connectivity can be turned off on a software level but that's still an on/off switch and isn't the same as physically removing the hardware components.

I dont know why Google PlayStore removed their internet security app when Kaspersky was one of the platforms that were doing the examining mobile app Google PlayStore ignored doing.

It's politics. Everything that comes out of Russia, China, and their allies is considered bad. Everything from the US and its allies is good and recommended. That's the sad way of the world now.

[Zoomic]

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.

Anyone getting a separate device for this purpose should be smart enough to protect it carefully. Why carry it around or make it easily accessible? Misfortunes can happen at any time, no matter how cautious we are. However, we shouldn’t be careless and hide behind the excuse that some unfortunate events are inevitable. Instead, we should take precautionary measures to safeguard ourselves and, by chance, avoid some of these unpleasant situations.

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.

That has always been the solution, but it is not just about having a separate device, some people make that mistake; it is about using an airgapped device, if the device is not airgapped and still connected to the internet, even if you don't download any application on it, it definitely still carries a risk.

This is the reason investors should get hardware wallets for their large bitcoins. But for small amounts of bitcoins and even fiat which we cannot avoid going online to do transactions with, a separate device we will be extremely careful with, will do us good. No unnecessary downloads, no clicking on unnecessary links and no interactions with strangers .

[GeorgeJohn]

I think I have had such from someone else about apps stealing some important things that's in secret in our phone, but I taught that's a mere information to discouraged people not to download app of their choice

Now since Kaspersky Lab discover that with apps we download someone can have access to our special documents, so whats the solution they have to dismount such apps, because unknowingly you can download such apps thinking that they're good for what you want to use it for,

won't they be a solution to create an anti apps that android users will download that will be fighting against such apps that's meant to penetrate into our privacy unknowingly, I mean the apps should serves as anti apps...or app that will detect that you're downloading a fake apps in your phone since they have such discovery.

[Agbe]

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 often don't have a choice. If you want to use a specific app, you will have to give it the permissions it requires otherwise it won't run or you won't be able to use some/most of its features. It's similar to the privacy policies and terms and conditions. When you open a mobile app for the first time, you are asked to accept them. If you refuse, the app simply closes and you can't use it before accepting the T&C. In such situations, most people will give in and click whatever is needed to be able to use the app.

There are some apps that if you don't give them the permission, we can't use them properly and we will be restricted in many features in the apps. And there are some apps that we want to install and they would say "this app may be harmful" install it anyway" and we click the install it anyway. Giving permission to an app before installing is dangerous but we don't have a choice as you said but it is good we only install the ones we want to use at the moment. There are some apps that follow the mobile device that I bought which I don't use so I uninstalled them from the phone to create more space and speed the phone. Thanks for this information.

[WatChe]

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.

One thing is becoming very common these days and that is we are storing everything in our mobile for our ease like images of our Identification cards, Educational documents, medical reports and more. No doubt having these documents readily available in our mobile prove to be useful but at the same time they are like sitting ducks for the cyber criminals. Ones you sold your mobile or someone get access to it, we can imagine the loss due to this breach.

It's best not to put everything in your mobile and never sale your old mobile in the market without proper data deletion.

[suzanne5223]

I dont know why Google PlayStore removed their internet security app when Kaspersky was one of the platforms that were doing the examining mobile app Google PlayStore ignored doing.

It's politics. Everything that comes out of Russia, China, and their allies is considered bad. Everything from the US and its allies is good and recommended. That's the sad way of the world now.

This is indeed a political movement decision if not ever since I have being using mobile phone that internet security that I have ever use and feel somehow safe when surfing the internet on my phone is Kaspersky but a couple of months ago when I want to update the internet security I couldnt see it anymore on Google PlayStore.
Honestly, the idea of seeing everything that comes from Russia, China, or any other country in the world especially the Africa as something bad is not the way forward and if there's no competition in every setting the system will be lagging behind.

I hope this change in the future.

[joniboini]

Honestly, the idea of seeing everything that comes from Russia, China, or any other country in the world especially the Africa as something bad is not the way forward and if there's no competition in every setting the system will be lagging behind.

I don't think this will change in the near future, if ever. Ideological differences will fuel it, not to mention some people do terrible things regardless of nationality to begin with. So yeah, what we can do is just verify everything on our own, especially if someone is article/post is biased toward something.

Speaking of mobile apps, I remember reading Google removing millions of apps in 2024 because they're suspected to be malware. Makes you wonder how some apps managed to bypass their filter if they can block out so many in the first place. I guess user reports help to some extent, but they should've built a better algorithm after years of running an app store. CMIIW.

[Pmalek]

...so whats the solution they have to dismount such apps, because unknowingly you can download such apps thinking that they're good for what you want to use it for.

They can't get rid of them. They can only release security reports after discovering vulnerabilities and/or malware and warn people to be careful of what they install on their devices. The solution is that you don't need an app for everything you do in life. The food-ordering app isn't a mandatary install. Just use the website, call the number, and order what you want to eat.

And there are some apps that we want to install and they would say "this app may be harmful" install it anyway" and we click the install it anyway.

This is a general warning that you can see if you download an .apk file from a website on your own. Your system is just informing you that the app came from a source it doesn't recognize and it doesn't originate from the Play Store, for example. That doesn't mean the app is actually harmful, but it can be.

[suzanne5223]

Honestly, the idea of seeing everything that comes from Russia, China, or any other country in the world especially the Africa as something bad is not the way forward and if there's no competition in every setting the system will be lagging behind.

I don't think this will change in the near future, if ever. Ideological differences will fuel it, not to mention some people do terrible things regardless of nationality to begin with. So yeah, what we can do is just verify everything on our own, especially if someone is article/post is biased toward something.

Speaking of mobile apps, I remember reading Google removing millions of apps in 2024 because they're suspected to be malware. Makes you wonder how some apps managed to bypass their filter if they can block out so many in the first place. I guess user reports help to some extent, but they should've built a better algorithm after years of running an app store. CMIIW.

You have a point. We need self-research and verification about things because almost every setting in today's media and internet activities is controlled, or filled with misinformation.

About the App Store, I see them as one of the major problems, and causes of mobile phone vulnerability. Their keyboard was used to track what people copy-paste or type on their phones, and their app store is full of shady apps that have caused the loss of a lot of people.
They claimed to remove millions of apps while there are millions more shady apps.

[ray_d]

want to know is there any good security app to check mobile ? because most security app have many add

[coupable]

One major source of this problem is the Google PlayStore and Apple Store because they never examine all the mobile apps on their platforms.
While Kaspersky Lab has exposed several shady applications with malicious intentions, I see them as one of the best internet security providers due to the role they play in protecting internet users.
 I dont know why Google PlayStore removed their internet security app when Kaspersky was one of the platforms that were doing the examining mobile app Google PlayStore ignored doing.

Google not only stopped cooperating with Kaspersky regarding the securityof applications on the store, but also removed all Kaspersky products from the Play Store, making it difficult for Android users to continue using it.

https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/kaspersky-apps-removed-from-google-play/52254/

Google’s decision refers to recent U.S. government actions restricting the distribution and sales of Kaspersky products in the United States after September 29th 2024.

Currently, Google checks applications itself without the need for a third party, and in my opinion this is better for business while working on further development.

[JoyMarsha]

The whole space is scary. Everyone should be mindful of what they download and install on their phones because what you think is good in your phone may not be as good as you thought; it may be malicious apps meant to steal stored seed phrases from your phone.

About that, I wonder what on earth would make someone choose to snap their seed phrase instead of writing it down on paper. However, if everyone could avoid having their seed phrase snap with their phone, I think, there wouldn't be all these malicious attacks on people's phones about their snap seed phrase

[Pmalek]

About that, I wonder what on earth would make someone choose to snap their seed phrase instead of writing it down on paper.

Laziness would be the obvious answer. Not thinking clearly and not understanding the dangers of doing such a silly thing. But the problem isn't just taking pictures and saving them on your phone. It's about storing seeds in any digital way. It isn't better to write them down somewhere in your notes or saving the seed as a draft in your e-mail client. Offline backups are the best way to go about it.

[Orpichukwu]

want to know is there any good security app to check mobile ? because most security app have many add

Apps that run ads will definitely have some sort of premium use, which, if you can't afford it, then you are forced to be viewing those ads, which are even when they are pretty annoying.

And you don't really need to have any app monitoring your phone all in the name of checking if there is any infected app installed there; you should just be mindful of installing apps you don't know anything about just because they promise to offer some kind of service.

[dzungmobile]

Laziness would be the obvious answer. Not thinking clearly and not understanding the dangers of doing such a silly thing. But the problem isn't just taking pictures and saving them on your phone. It's about storing seeds in any digital way. It isn't better to write them down somewhere in your notes or saving the seed as a draft in your e-mail client. Offline backups are the best way to go about it.

Being too lazy, unknowledgable and too careless are main reasons for this bad practice. Lack of any of these will result in terrible backup practice. You can be unknowledgeable but if you are careful, not lazy, you can still do good backup; but if you are knowledgeable but too lazy and careless, you will do terrible backup.

How to backup a seed phrase? has a section for Most terrible backup schemes.

Let's begin by going through some common forms of backing up seed phrases that are incontrovertibly prone to failure.

Storing your (unencrypted) seed phrase in any online service. This includes:

• Taking a photo of your seed phrase.
• Any note taking apps that get synced to the cloud.
• Services that sync files from your phone / laptop to the cloud.
• Basically, any online account that could potentially be compromised by an attacker and have its contents read by them. This includes employees who work for that company / service!

Here's one (of many) examples of people for whom this backup practice ended in catastrophe:
$2 Million Allegedly Stolen From Cryptocurrency Vlogger in the Middle of His Livestream

[ThemePen]

Discovery by Kaspersky Lab is very worrying and are alarming us to always be careful when downloading mobile apps. It is not good that bad apps can look at our photos for secret codes and collect important information. We should keep in mind that what we allow apps to do and we should not store sensitive information like passwords or codes on our phones or in apps. We should only download apps we need and avoid new ones especially those which are asking for gallery access. It is also good idea to use websites as compare to apps when we can. Staying informed about security risks and protecting our personal information is very important.

[suzanne5223]

One major source of this problem is the Google PlayStore and Apple Store because they never examine all the mobile apps on their platforms.
While Kaspersky Lab has exposed several shady applications with malicious intentions, I see them as one of the best internet security providers due to the role they play in protecting internet users.
 I dont know why Google PlayStore removed their internet security app when Kaspersky was one of the platforms that were doing the examining mobile app Google PlayStore ignored doing.

Google not only stopped cooperating with Kaspersky regarding the securityof applications on the store, but also removed all Kaspersky products from the Play Store, making it difficult for Android users to continue using it.

https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/kaspersky-apps-removed-from-google-play/52254/

Google’s decision refers to recent U.S. government actions restricting the distribution and sales of Kaspersky products in the United States after September 29th 2024.

Currently, Google checks applications itself without the need for a third party, and in my opinion this is better for business while working on further development.

If the main purpose of removing all Kaspersky products from the Google PlayStore was to prevent the distribution and sales of the internet security service Kaspersky on the US soil they shouldn't have removed its total from the PlayStore platform when they could blacklist the use of it from the US soil if the purpose of the removal is not based on a political decision.