Breadcrumbs

[hungryhounduk]

Hey

Just saw this and thought i would post it up, Just in case you dont know about it.....

Getting a clever app may feel like a cunning way to make life more straightforward and cheaper. How did we ever find our way around, get the best deal, entertain ourselves, or make irritating 'comic' sounds before the advent of the smartphone?

But while it may feel all very wise to be using the right apps, we could be making a huge mistake, because while we marvel at their functionality, some are busy siphoning money out of our accounts.



The thieving apps

Phonepayplus, which is the organisation that regulates premium rate phone lines, has come across two smartphone apps which have been charging users without their knowledge or permission. In one case, the app automatically sent and received text messages at a shocking cost of £4.50 each.

The dodgy apps have since been shut down by the regulator. However it begs the question as to how safe we are when we download them.

The regulator is worried enough to have started consulting on a set of proposals designed to make the industry safer. It would mean that buyers would have to give clearer consent to companies before they could start charging them. They would also introduce new password systems to make it harder for children to spend money without their parents' consent, and they want sellers to be very clear about what it costs to buy virtual credit.

Paul Whiteing, Phonepayplus chief executive, said: "We will not hesitate to use our robust sanctioning powers to drive out rogue providers who could damage a vital part of the UK's growing and innovative digital and creative economies."

Protect yourself

However, with the best will in the world, the regulator isn't going to keep on top of every new app that is flooding onto the market. It's going to take time before every rogue app is tracked down or reported and closed down. It means, therefore, that it pays to be on our guard. It's essential we read the small print about the apps we are buying, and check out reviews from other users. We also need to keep a close eye on our accounts, so we notice immediately if our app is ripping us off.

Yeah = READ THE SMALL PRINT

Chris

[CleverBoy]

clever app

EDIT: hey did someone call me goofy; lol

[mandai]

It wouldn't suprise me if they came up with an anti-malware scanner specifically for phone apps.

[CodenStuff]

I think phones will have malware/virus scanners eventually (I think one is already available somewhere)

This has always been an issue with phones long before 'apps' appeared and network providers have been aware of this type of scam and rediculous charges for years but choose not to do anything about it because it brings in huge profits for them. In my opinion it should be down to the app providers mainly Apple and Android to scan/check each app for malicious code or activity before making it available to the public because most phones today use either Apple or Android OS and to further make apps safe a secure from fraud and huge charges these phones should have some type alert/confirmation system if an app is sending data to a service like a premium line and alert the user that what they are about to do will cost XX amount and that way the user can decide wether or not to continue or shut the app down.

Some apps send texts without the user even knowing about but surely it cant be that hard to add something which informs a user that such activity is taking place :? . What would also be a good idea is a charge limit setting of some kind built into the phone OS (not the app itself) for each app on your phone so that for example once an app uses £1 worth of data/chargeable content that it blocks that app from using those services for say 24 hours.

[MrAksel]

What would also be a good idea is a charge limit setting of some kind built into the phone OS (not the app itself) for each app on your phone so that for example once an app uses £1 worth of data/chargeable content that it blocks that app from using those services for say 24 hours.

What about Facebook then!?!?!? They cant block the facebook app just because of 1£! I use more then that using facebook/other things on my phone, we are doomed! cryer;

[CodenStuff]

I meant a setting per app so by default it would be set at £1 but if you have an app that you use a lot and trust then you can change the setting for that app to unlimited or £3 etc.

[Usman55]

Can't the smartphone companies develop a mini-antivirus software for their smartphones? I haven't seen one.