December 26, 2016

App Traps to Watch for when Online Shopping

"A surge in bogus apps recently began flooding Apple and Android app stores mimicking well-known retailers and products — from Dollar Tree and Foot Locker to luxury brands including Jimmy Choo and Christian Dior. Some contain malware that can steal personal information or trigger ransomware to hijack mobile devices until a ransom is paid, notes the New York Times. Others encourage users to enter credit card information or log in using their Facebook credentials, which can jeopardize those accounts."
Defense: "Before downloading, carefully check app logos and descriptions for misspellings, missing letters (such as “Foot Locke” without the “r”) or poor English, as many fakes originate in China. Other red flags include poor or few customer reviews, indications the app just launched, or links to apps from other retailers."
Quoted directly from AARP Scam Alert: http://blog.aarp.org/2016/11/23/the-sneakiest-online-shopping-scams/

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