💰 More cash for your old phone: iPhones retain their value much longer than models from Samsung, Google or OnePlus. Demand’s higher too. iPhone folks sell or trade in their phones 41% of the time, compared to just 17% of Android owners. Sadly, 30% of Android folks just end up tossing their old phones.
Apps with 421M downloads … and hidden malware
Sorry, Android users. More bad news for you on the app front. (I know, it never ends.) Security researchers at Dr. Web found spyware in more than 100 popular apps. The most popular ones on the list have over 100 million downloads.
Are they on your phone?
Here are the most popular infected apps, along with total downloads. If you have one, delete it!
- Noizz – video editor with music (100 million).
- Zapya – File Transfer, Share (100 million).
- vFly – video editor & video maker (50 million).
- MVBit – MV video status maker (50 million).
- Biugo – video maker & video editor (50 million).
- Crazy Drop (10 million).
- Cashzine – Earn money reward (10 million).
- Fizzo Novel – Reading Offline (10 million).
- CashEM – Get Rewards (5 million).
- Tick – watch to earn (5 million).
That’s a list of the most popular apps that were caught hiding malware. The full list includes more than 100 bad apps. Click here to see the complete list.
Pro tip: If your phone is infected with malware, it’s worth doing a full factory reset. A royal pain in the rear, yes, but you really should.
How does this crap spread?
In this case, developers were fooled into using a software development kit that uses minigames and daily rewards to keep people opening their apps. The code seems legit, but it hides in the background collecting activity and sending it back to the software makers.
🤑 You can’t get something for nothing. Avoid those “open to win!” apps altogether. You’re better off at a Mongolian casino playing for a Yakpot.
Steps to remove apps from Android
If you have any malicious apps on your Android device, delete them ASAP. Here are steps to do it properly.
- Long-press an app, then tap App Info > Uninstall.
- Or go to Settings > Apps & Notifications to see a list of your apps and delete them the same way.
- You can also open the Google Play Store app and navigate to Menu > My apps & games. Tap on the app and hit Uninstall.
- Note: Samsung and OnePlus phones have an Uninstall option under the app shortcuts menu.
- If you can’t delete the app, you may see the option to Disable it. This will at least stop it from running on your phone.
Delete these malicious Android apps immediately
We’ve warned you about Chinese apps you need to remove from your phone, and now we need to look to another part of the world.
Over 60 Korea-based apps were removed from Google Play and the ONE store (Korea’s biggest app store). The apps were downloaded more than 100 million times. Here’s what you need to know
Tech with ties to China: What to avoid
Color me surprised that TikTok hasn’t been banned in the U.S. yet. Can’t stop using it? Take this simple step to keep your data from going back to China.
It’s not just apps. More than a third of the world’s electronics are produced in China. There’s a difference between products made in China and those made by companies with ties to the Communist Chinese government.
How to get the most money selling your old cellphone
When you upgrade your smartphone, don’t throw the old one in a drawer. With the right site, you can turn your dusty old electronics into a source of income.
In this tip, we’ll answer some of the most common questions people have when selling old devices. Plus, we’ll introduce you to a valuable new site to help you make money.
7 new Android 12 features to simplify your day to day
The release of a new operating system is a big deal for mobile developers. This plays a big part in their competition against each other as each tries to retain their users while enticing others to hop the fence.
Android 12 launched last month for Google Pixel phones, while Samsung, Xiaomi OnePlus and other phones that run Android will get the update in the coming months.
Are you buying the correct chargers and cables for your devices? Check this chart
A phone, tablet or laptop without power is a sad thing. It’s an expensive useless brick until you can juice up the battery. Don’t be ashamed if you have nightmares about being stuck with a dead battery. We’ve all been there.
Android 12: 5 things you can do now that you couldn't before
The new version of Android OS was released this week, and it comes packed with new features. It’s initially released for Google’s own Pixel 3 or more recent phones, with other devices to follow soon. Tap or click here to speed up your Android with a handy app.
Android 12: Everything we know about when it's coming to your phone
Despite what Apple users may think, there are a lot of people out there who prefer Android. And they will be excited to find out that the newest update, Android 12, is right around the corner. Tap or click here to see the best smartphone alternatives to Apple and Samsung.
How waterproof is your phone? Find out - and what to do if you dunk it
Think of all the data your smartphone holds. Your contact list, photos, videos, personal notes, bookmarks, app files and so much more. Your phone might hold important business documents or personal memories you could never get back if they were lost.
Android is getting its biggest update in years - Here's what's coming
We’ve entered that part of the year where Big Tech companies reveal their upcoming products. Apple kicked things off a few weeks ago with iOS news, and Google has now entered the fray with updates on Android.
Unsurprisingly, the highlight of Google’s annual I/O conference was details about the upcoming Android 12. Tap or click here for details on Google’s annual event. Don’t get too excited, though, as the operating system update is only in the beta phase for now.
Want to get away from Big Tech? Here’s how
My inbox is full of one question this week: How can I drop Big Tech companies? This got me thinking … Is it possible to stop using the services of the Big Five altogether? That’s Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook and Microsoft. I did the research to give you a headstart if you’re looking to move away from one or all of them. If this helps you out, do me a favor and share it with your friends and family.
Android 11 is here - Best features and how to update
If you have an old Android smartphone there are plenty of reasons to think about upgrading. Not only do newer models have more impressive features like better cameras and more storage space, but you also don’t have to worry about vulnerabilities specific to old devices.