It’s important to be careful when updating apps on your phone. Michelle, who lives in New Jersey, recently contacted me about a common concern.
“If you click on an app on your phone and see a message saying it needs to be updated, click here. Can you believe this is genuine? Or should you close it and go to the App Store? mosquito?”
Great question, Michelle. App updates are essential to maintain the performance and security of your device. They often include bug fixes, new features, and security patches to protect against vulnerabilities. However, scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often using fake update notifications to trick users into downloading malware or providing personal information.
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App Store icon on iPhone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Identifying red flags
Being able to identify suspicious update notifications is critical to keeping your device secure. Here are some specific signs that your update notification may be fraudulent:
1. Unexpected alerts from unknown apps
If you receive a notification from an app you don’t recognize, it’s best not to interact with it. Be especially wary of alerts that claim to be from system apps or security software you don’t have installed. To check the legitimacy of an app, check the list of installed apps to see if the app is actually present on your device.
For iPhone
- Tap. App Store icon It’s on your iPhone’s home screen.
- Please tap profile icon It’s in the top right corner.
- choice app, Then tap my app View a list of all downloaded apps.
- I understand “all” Lists the apps currently installed on your device. Tapping it will also show apps that are not currently installed. “This iPhone doesn’t have it.”
- When you tap “Not on this iPhone” You’ll see a list of apps you previously downloaded or purchased but have since deleted from your device.
For android
SSettings may vary depending on your Android smartphone manufacturer.
- Tap. Google Play Store icon on your Android.
- Please tap profile icon It’s in the top right corner.
- choice “Manage apps and devices” From the menu options.
- Tap “management” Click on the tab and select “Installed” Click to see all the apps currently on your device. You can also check something unknown app here.
Regularly reviewing this list of apps will help you stay aware of what’s installed on your device and help you identify unfamiliar applications that may pose a security risk.
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2.Request for disclosure of personal information
Genuine updates do not ask for sensitive data such as passwords, credit card information, or social security numbers. Be suspicious of any update process that requires you to enter personal information. Official updates are typically handled through your device’s operating system or app store, which already contains your account information.
Fake iPhone update notification text (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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3. Pop-up asking to subscribe to calendar
Pop-ups requesting calendar subscriptions can fill up your calendar. spam and phishing message. Genuine apps rarely, if ever, request access to your calendar through pop-ups during updates. Therefore, you must be wary of unexpected requests for access to device functionality or data.
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4. Urgent or threatening language
Scammers often use fear tactics to encourage immediate action. You should be skeptical of messages that say your device is in immediate danger or that you will lose data if you don’t update immediately. Genuine updates are usually communicated in a calm and informative manner, without using high-pressure tactics to pressure users into making decisions.
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5. Unusual update source
Be wary of updates that direct you to websites other than the official app store. Genuine updates for mobile apps are usually done through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to ensure you receive safe and verified software. To maintain security and integrity, system updates should always occur through the device’s built-in update mechanism, such as:
Genuine iOS update (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
6. Spelling and grammatical errors
Official updates from reputable companies are usually well-written and free of obvious mistakes. If you notice that your renewal notice has incorrect spelling, grammar, or formatting, it could be a sign of a hastily created scam.
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7. Unexpected permission requests
If an update suddenly requests permissions that seem unrelated to your app’s functionality, this could be a red flag. For example, a calculator app doesn’t need access to your contacts or camera.
woman scrolling on mobile phone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
8. Mismatched branding or visual elements
Notice the visual details in the update notification. Scammers may use slightly different logos and color schemes from the official brand. Look for discrepancies in font, style, or overall design compared to legitimate notifications you’ve seen.
Tips to protect yourself from fake notifications
Here are some simple tips to follow to ensure safety while navigating app updates.
1. Pay attention to email and text alerts. Protect yourself with powerful antivirus software
Manufacturers will never send you emails or texts asking you to update your app. Always treat such messages as suspicious and avoid clicking on the links, as they may contain malware. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that can install malware and access your personal information is to install strong antivirus software on all your devices. This protection also warns you about phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
2. Close the app and check
If you receive an unexpected update notification:
- close App now.
- of the device Official app store (Google Play Store for Android, App Store for iOS).
- Search for the app in question and check Updates available.
This method ensures that you only download updates from legitimate sources.
3. Check your device settings
You can also check your phone’s settings to see if there are any system updates available.
- For iPhone: move to setting > common > Software update
- For Android: go to setting > system > system update.
SSettings may vary depending on your Android smartphone manufacturer
You can also improve the overall security of your device by regularly checking for system updates. Before performing a major update, especially a system update, data is backed up. This protects your information in case something goes wrong during the update process.
4. Enable automatic updates
Most smartphones allow you to enable automatic updates for apps and system software. This feature helps you keep your applications always up to date without the need for manual intervention.
For iPhone
- Open. Settings app.
- tap General.
- choice Software updates.
- tap automatic update Swipe the button to the right to turn it on.
- return to settingtap App store.
- [自動ダウンロード]section, turn it on. App updates Swipe the button to the right.
For android
SSettings may vary depending on your Android smartphone manufacturer
- Open. Google Play Store app.
- Please tap profile icon It’s in the top right corner.
- choice Manage your apps and devices.
- Tap management Click on the tab and select Installed.
- Tap. 3 vertical dots Click in the top right corner to select Automatically update apps.
- Select your preferred option: on any network or Only via Wi-Fi.
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Even if you have automatic updates enabled, we recommend that you manually check for updates periodically. This ensures you don’t miss any important updates that weren’t automatically installed.
5. Check the source
Always make sure updates come from verified sources. To avoid malware and phishing attempts, download software only from official websites or app stores.
6. Monitor app permissions
After updating your app, check the permissions it requests. If an app requests permissions that you believe are unnecessary for its functionality, consider whether to keep the app installed.
7. Uninstall apps you don’t use
Check regularly and uninstall apps you no longer use. This reduces potential vulnerabilities and keeps your device clutter-free.
For iPhone
- search app I want to uninstall from the home screen.
- Press and hold. app icon Tap until a menu appears Delete the app.
- choice Delete app To confirm.
For android
- please find Apps you want to uninstall You can find it in your app drawer or home screen.
- Press and hold. app icon Tap Uninstall until a menu appears.
- tap got it Confirm uninstall.
Cart important points
Keeping apps up to date is critical for security and performance, but it’s equally important to be skeptical of update notifications. Verifying through official channels is always the safest method. By following these tips and staying informed about potential scams, you can protect yourself from cyber threats while still enjoying the benefits of updated applications.
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What specific measures do you think the App Store and Google Play should take to better protect users from fraudulent update notifications? Email us at. Cyberguy.com/Contact
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