Although most modern-day smartphones come with all sorts of security features, a big concern that continues to worry many users is the risk of being hacked or having their private data taken from them.
Unless you’re frequently giving out your information, the chances of that happening aren’t as likely. However, there may be a place on your smartphone that you’re not looking into for these security risks – your app collection. As it turns out, the kind of apps you have on your phone can make a significant impact on your safety. We spoke with tech experts about three apps you should delete from your phone to prevent it from being hacked or having your data misused. Read more about them below.
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1. Free VPNs
There are numerous reasons why some people might use a VPN app, as they could be traveling abroad, needing to use it in a school or office building, etc. However, the issue with having a VPN is that there are numerous apps available, and not all of them are necessarily reliable.
"Communication infrastructure is expensive," says cybersecurity pro Travis Simcox. "If the VPN is free, they're either making money off your data, or worse, sending their data out through your account."
2. Fake Gaming Apps
There are also a ton of games available within smartphone app stores. After all, it's an easy way to keep yourself entertained. Many games are high-quality and should also have some safety measures in place. However, there are some third-party gaming apps, or apps that try to mimic other popular games, that can put your information more at risk.
"There are fake gaming apps which may look like mods or cheats of popular game titles like GTA, Minecraft, Call of Duty, and they spread malware through third-party app stores," explains tech security pro Fergal Glynn. "It's advisable to only download games from official app stores to avoid these risks."
3. Phone 'Cleaning' Apps
When your phone's storage starts to pile up, trying to delete photos and clear out certain files can get quite overwhelming. Therefore, downloading an app that claims it can help you clean up your phone, keep you organized, and delete excess files can be tempting. However, tech experts advise against them.
"These are a favorite scam that criminal organizations use to steal your data and access your bank accounts," says Simcox. "Most people don't need to 'clean' their phone's data. But if you do, then do it yourself."
