October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and to get into the swing of things we thought this might be a great time to dive into the dangerous apps that may be lurking on your phone. Dangerous apps could potentially be leaking private information without you even knowing. Most of us have several apps on our phone and continue to download new ones on a weekly basis. From music apps to games, there are so many out there, which can make it hard to determine which are legitimate and which ones aren’t so great. Here are four telltale signs that you could have dangerous apps on your phone and what you should do about it.
Pop-ups
One of the most common signs of a malicious app is pop-ups. These annoying ads could be an indication that the app contains some malicious software that is tapping into your personal info.
Phone is Slowing Down
Another indication of a malicious app, is that your phone or the app itself is very slow while using the program.
Drains Battery
If you’re also noticing that your battery life isn’t what it used to be, you might want to consider which apps you recently downloaded as it may be the cause.
Random App on your Home Screen
Have you ever noticed a random app on your phone that you are almost positive you didn’t download? Well, if so, then this could most likely be a sign of a bad app on your phone as well.
If you happen to notice any of these signs and think you may have a malicious app on your phone, experts recommend running anti-malware software on your phone and restoring factory settings if possible. There are also security systems that you can use, such as Norton Security, to help keep your information safe.
Want to learn more about how to keep yourself and information safe? Visit our website or call a Member Specialist today at 800–422–5852 to learn how we can help.
