If you think an app is too good to be true, it probably is. This is a Trojan Horse trick: An app may appear to be beneficial – offering free access to something that should cost money – but it actually contains a virus. People who take the bait and install these malicious apps are often surprised to find that instead of the promised free material they were hoping for, their entire smartphone is locked, or their data is stolen, and they are faced with threats.
Other times, the virus might secretly transfer money to the attacker’s accounts through the phone’s online banking app. The best cure for these malicious apps is prevention. Steer clear of apps that promise free access to premium content, aren’t listed in well-known app stores, and don’t have a history of reviews. These are the apps security experts would never have on their phone.