A WARNING has been issued to all Android phone owners over a major danger.
Cyber-experts say Android fans need to be very careful over the apps they're downloading.
Every month dozens of Android apps are revealed to be dangerous, fraudulent or both.
Just this week, it emerged that as many as 75 apps were filled with spammy "adware" that floods phones with advertisements.
There's no truly safe way to guarantee you'll avoid being hacked – but cyber-experts say you can boost your chances of avoiding danger.
"Stay on native app stores, and stay off third-party app stores," cybersecurity giant Kaspersky warned.
"As a rule of thumb, you should stick to the Apple, Google Play, or Microsoft stores.
"Even in the official stores, you should be reading app reviews and searching trusted sites for more information."
Dodgy apps
This is a problem on Android phones especially, because there are plenty of alternative app stores.
The official Android option is called the Play Store – and it's owned and operated by Google.
Using other app stores can pose a huge risk, as well as downloading .apk app files from websites online.
Kaspersky says you should be very cautious when grabbing apps from places outside of the Google Play Store.
"Never download apps without verifying their safety first," Kaspersky said.
"Most phones have settings that allow you to verify any apps coming from unknown sources before downloading.
"However, always find and read reviews to prevent suspicious apps on your device."
Nowhere is safe
Of course even apps on the Google Play Store aren't always safe.
The Sun often reports on fraudulent apps that have sneaked their way onto the store – avoiding detection.
And even if Google bans these apps from the Play Store – as it often does – they may still be lurking on your Android phone if you've already downloaded them.
So be sure to keep an eye out for official warnings about dangerous apps.
It's also worth regularly checking through your phone to see if you can clear out any old apps.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk
