When you have an Android or any smartphone, one of the biggest responsibilities of having that kind of device is doing what you can to keep your data safe.
Although all sorts of devices and smartphones these days have updated and evolving technology that puts yourself and your information in a safe place, scamming and hacking technology has also evolved, meaning you still have to be diligent about protecting your data. While some people might think that you have no control over it, there are some things you can be extra wary of, like which apps you download. We spoke with tech experts about one of the most dangerous Android apps you can download, as it might secretly steal your data. Read more about it below.
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An Android App That Secretly Puts Your Data At Risk
Being a smartphone owner these days is such a privilege, as you have access to so many features that make your life a whole lot easier on a daily basis. Because of that, we often store a lot of our personal information and data in our phones, as they're part of many people's essential routines.
However, this also puts yourself at risk, as while there are so many different kinds of phones out there, there are also many different kinds of ways that bots and scammers can get a hold of that precious data. Your phone automatically has features in place to protect you, but it can't save you from everything. As it turns out, it's the apps you chose to download that can make a bigger difference than you may think.
"One of the most egregious perpetrators of sneaky data collection is not some underground malware app, but rather free flashlight, cleaner, or battery saver apps in many cases," says Steven Athwal, tech expert and owner of The Big Phone Store. "These programs frequently ask for lots of unnecessary information, such as access to location data, contact information, or even the microphone."
How These Free Apps Put Your Data At Risk
Athwal notes that these apps can be dangerous because they may seem perfectly harmless and perform the task they're supposed to, but behind the scenes, there's more going on than you'd think.
"The application itself may be doing the task it claims to be doing, but in the background, it is collecting behavioral data and selling it to third-party companies," he explains. "This data may range from usage data to advertising IDs and, in some cases, even motion data. The problem isn't that Android is not secure, it's that people will give it full access without realizing what that actually means."
If you're worried that you may be downloading apps that fall under this category, the tech expert suggests sticking to a few simple rules.
"If the purpose of an application doesn't require the access it is requesting, it needs to be deleted," he notes. "Your smartphone has in-built functions for cleaning, battery optimization, and storage space management – you don't need to download any extra applications for it."
