Our phones, computers, tablets are used in different ways every day. target of cyber attacks stays. In particular, your information is easily accessible through the permissions you give to the applications, the links you click, or various methods.

Researchers at AppCensus have discovered that some applications collect data to record our information. Agree What are these apps? ourselves and our data, to prevent it from falling into the hands of malicious people. how can we protect?

Applications that collect user data have been downloaded more than 45 million times.

As a result of malware analysts’ investigation of applications downloaded from the Play Store, it was found that many applications collect personal data from users. AppCensus researchers believe that these applications; users GPS data, MAC addresses, network SSID, phone data, email addresses and even modem information it said it collected it through third-party SDK software.

When this collected data is intended to be used maliciously, it can be accessed from your phone, right down to your card details. Of course, it must be said that your passwords and crypto wallets are also at risk. According to AppCensus, this SDK is software that hides in apps. It is implemented with base64 code. Let’s take a look at the application names announced by AppCensus after this statement that made us think twice while downloading applications from the Play Store.

Applications that use our data, their downloads and the data they collect:

• Speed ​​camera radar: 10 Million Downloads – Phone Number, IMEI, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• AI Moazin Lite: 10 Million Downloads – Phone Number, IMEI, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• Wifi mouse: 10 Million Downloads – MAC Address Router
• QR and barcode scanner: 5 Million Downloads – Phone Number, Email Address, IMEI, GPS Data, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• Qibla Compass Ramadan 2022: 5 Million Downloads – GPS Data, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• Simple Weather and Clock Widget: 1 Million Downloads – Phone Number, IMEI, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• Handcent Next SMS Text with MSS: 1 Million Downloads – Email Address, IMEI, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• Smart Kit 360: 1 Million Downloads – Email Address, IMEI, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• AI Quran mp3 (with 50 languages): 1 Million Downloads – GPS Data, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• Full Quran MP3 (with 50+ Languages): 1 Million Installs – GPS Data, SSID Router, MAC Address Router
• Audiosdroid Audio Studio DAW: 1 Million Downloads – Phone Numbers, IMEI, HPS Data, SSID Router, MAC Address Router

What should you do to avoid such data loss?

First of all, it should be noted that the applications we just mentioned were removed from the application stores by Google shortly after this information came out. However, the fact that these applications have been removed does not mean that they cannot be replaced with new ones. For this reason, the first thing to look out for is; to your phone pay attention to the permissions you give to each app you download and the texts you accept should be. You can actually transfer your data to malicious parties with the phrases embedded in the user agreements without being aware of it.

Another point to keep in mind is; It’s something we’ve been hearing for years. If you have received an email or message that you ‘don’t understand’, even if it is from someone you know, do not click on the links here and try to contact the person who sent you the message first . anywayYou should also check the permissions you have given to your applications. will also be beneficial.