We have all heard, “There’s an app for that.” Today, this is likely true for most things. Most people own a smartphone or another device that offers immediate access to some of the coolest apps. Unfortunately, these apps can pose a significant threat that we knowingly install on our phones, tablets, or computers.

You may have noticed that I wrote, “We knowingly add.” This is because we must agree to the terms and conditions of the app we have selected before adding it to our devices. Believe it or not, some apps are created by people with criminal intent. Their only goal is to gain access to protected or sensitive information. 

For instance, a popular flashlight app for smartphones has some very intriguing terms and conditions that you accept when you install the app. By clicking “I agree,” you grant the developing party full access to all of the information in your phone’s contact list. You also allow them to activate the audio/video recording functions of the phone whenever they wish. You may also be permitting them to capture all of your passwords and any other sensitive information stored on your phone, as well as the information exchanged through text messages. To make matters worse, you agree that the malicious software may remain on your device even after you delete the app.

We can take steps to help prevent this kind of victimization. First, we should read the fine print in the terms and conditions before downloading and installing an app. Additionally, we can choose to download apps only from trusted developers.

If you have already downloaded one of these malicious apps, you can remove it from your device by restoring the device to its original factory settings. Please understand that doing this will erase ALL data not present on the device when removed from its original packaging.

Access to technology is excellent, but safety should still be our first concern.