Safety warning issued to iPhone and Android users: Delete these apps now

Phones are great tools, but they come with certain responsibilities. Firstly, you have to make sure that the physical object is clean. Let’s be honest, none of us wipe down our devices as frequently as we should. Secondly, people often have the impression that their phone is ‘listening’ to them. This is a creepy thought, and it turns out that it is true - here’s what you can do about it.

Now, a fresh alert has been issued to both iPhone and Android users. People with these devices are being urged to check for these dangerous applications and to delete them now if found.

Why are these apps dangerous?

Normally, people purchase their apps from the App Store or Google Play store. However, deceptive applications have infiltrated these platforms and may be downloaded by users who don’t realise they carry real risk.

These apps can put you at risk for several reasons: they draw users in by claiming to increase your credit score, for example, or by pretending to be lending apps. How does this put your online safety at risk? Well, these apps are the latest instances of malware entering smartphones.

What is malware and which apps should I avoid?

Malware is short for malicious software, and it refers to ‘any intrusive software developed by cybercriminals (often called hackers) to steal data and damage or destroy computers and computer systems’, according to security solutions company Cisco.

The list of apps to delete is below. If you don’t have them you should watch out for the following names and take care to avoid them:

1. AA Kredit
2. Amor Cash
3. GuayabaCash
4. EasyCredit
5. Cashwow
6. CrediBus
7. FlashLoan
8. PréstamosCrédito
9. Préstamos De Crédito-YumiCash
10. Go Crédito
11. Instantáneo Préstamo
12. Cartera grande
13. Rápido Crédito
14. Finupp Lending
15. 4S Cash
16. TrueNaira
17. EasyCash

Be aware that your phone may already be infected with malware. One sign of this could be your contacts receiving emails or social media messages from you that you have not sent.

If you are updating your phone regularly then you may not need additional security. However, you can use apps such as Bitdefender Mobile Security or Norton Mobile Security for peace of mind: they combine multiple security services such as VPNs and password managers in one place and will help to up your online safety.

Read more:

⋙ 23andME: Millions of users' personal data leaked in cyber attack

⋙ The most common passwords in the UK paint a worrying image about cybersecurity

⋙ Warning issued to Gmail, Outlook and Hotmail users as millions to be hit by 'online threats'

Sources used:

Mirror: iPhone and Android warning to anyone with these 17 apps: ‘Delete now’

TIME Magazine:How Often Should I Clean My Phone?

Cisco