Be Aware of Fake Apps in the Google Play Store

Mobile devices have many, many uses, all of which allow users to get the most out of them. But what if all of your attempts at locating the best applications just lead to finding a fraudulent app on the Google Play Store? The truth is that the Google Play Store has its share of malware available for download in all kinds of disguises. Let's go over a couple of tips to help you avoid installing them to begin with.

How is it possible that Goole's quality control manages to miss so many of these fake apps? 

How The Fake Apps Make it to the Play Store
It’s clear that Google comprehends just how critical security is, so it’s concerning that malware can find its way to the Play Store. This doesn’t mean that it’s easy for threats to do so, as hackers still have to meet Google’s standards in order to put their content on it. However, Malware developers have found ways to slip their apps past the automated security that Google utilizes. They do this by uploading an app that initially has no malicious intent, allowing it to sneak by the security of the Play Store. Once the app has been downloaded, it reaches out to a third-party server that then installs malware on the device. This is the process that many malicious applications utilize to slip past Google’s security.

How to Identify the Fakes
Google has tried to stand up against malicious and fake apps on the Play Store, but measures like Google Play Protect are not good enough. Vigilance is one of the best ways to keep your organization secure from fake apps. When you need to install an app, be sure to check this list to make sure that the app is actually legitimate first.

• Name, description, and other details: The initial sign that an application isn’t legitimate will be its name or description. Malicious apps have traditionally tried to reproduce original apps as often as they can, mocking Google Play’s impersonation policy. Sometimes these apps aren’t identified and pulled immediately, so you have to be extra cautious while reading the description. Usually, impersonated apps will have descriptions written in broken English, which is why the description is the best indicator that an application is legitimate.
• Read the reviews: The Google Play Store allows users to write reviews, and you can utilize these reviews as a way to identify dangerous apps. However, a fake application could also have fake reviews, making it difficult to identify the good from the bad. Nonetheless, any negative reviews may give you the chance to reconsider your choice to download the app anyway.
• The Developer: Is the application actually from the developer that it claims to be from? If it’s an established application, you should be able to tell who developed it, but you may need to slow down and take a closer look before downloading a business application. If it’s from an unknown developer with no history, think twice before downloading it.
• Number of downloads: How popular is the application that you want to download? If it’s been downloaded billions of times, that's a sign that it's probably more legitimate than one with hundreds, thousands, or even millions of downloads.

How many fake applications have you come across on Google Play? Tell us in the comments.