Cybersecurity researchers at VPN Check say dozens of dangerous and harmful iOS cheat apps can still be downloaded from the App Store months after being discovered.
According to Techradar, more than a year after Avast discovered 133 fraudulent applications (March 2021) and disclosed them to Apple, VPN Check has recorded 84 applications that are still alive and developing. Applications include a photo and video editors, wallpaper apps, horoscopes, phone cleaners, and fake antivirus apps, among others.
The apps don’t have to be malware or viruses. They also do not attempt to steal data, damage, or destroy infected devices. Instead, they try to drain the victim’s money through fee fraud (silent charging, self-pay registration, or other similar mechanisms) and are relatively difficult to remove from the device. VPN Check says these apps are defrauding users of at least $100 million a year.
At the same time, VPN Check also blamed Apple when it said the iPhone maker refused to act quickly and remove malicious apps from the store. VPN Check claims that Apple is afraid of a cut in income from fraudulent activities, with a sizable revenue stream.
VPN Check states: “Resolving the issue may not be in Apple’s favor. With the mobile phone market saturated, the company is making big bucks from the App Store. And scam apps are great for this. It is clear that the scam apps make a lot of money through their scams and Apple gets a share of the profits. Plus, app developers spend a lot of money running ads on the App Store.”
That is clearly the accusation that VPN Check is aimed at Apple for fraudulent apps. Apple has yet to respond to content from the VPN.
This list of apps includes
- Picture Collage Maker,
- Facelab – Face Editor & Beauty,
- TeasEar: ASMR Slime Antistress,
- Nebula: Horoscope & Astrology,
- Astroline: The Daily Horoscope,
- FLMX – Video Editor,
- Stickerfy: Sticker Maker,
- Pixomatic – Background eraser,
- SpeedPro Slow speed video edit,
- Music Zen – Relaxing Sounds,
- Sticker Maker – BeSticky,
- Photo To Sketch – Drawing book,
- Mood Balance: Self Care Tracker,
- Presets for Lightroom – Vidl,
- Jigsaw Puzzle – Brain Games,
- Lift: Story Maker, Dazzle – Insta stories editor,
- Baby Sticker- Track Milestones,
- Life Palmistry – AI Palm & Tag,
- Photoly Remove Object & Editor,
- Facetory: Face Yoga & Exercise,
- VOCHI Video Effects Editor, Lucky Life – Future Seer,
- Dazz Cam- D3D Photo Effect,
- Beat.ly Music Video Maker,
- UltraFX – Effect Video Maker,
- Girl Games: Unicorn Slime, Impresso – Insta Story Editor,
- PDF Scanner: Document Scan, Dizzi – Photo & Video Effects,
- Hyper Cleaner: Clean Phone,
- Highlight Story Cover Maker!,
- Cartoons Me – Photo Art Editor,
- Sweet Pics – Baby Photo Edito,
- Slimy: Anxiety Relief Slime 3D,
- Frame – Slideshow Video Maker,
- Auto Sticker Maker Studio,
- iCons – Icon Changer App+,
- ToonApp Cartoon Photo Editor,
- MagicFX – Magic Video Effects,
- Horoscope 2019 and Palm Reader,
- Handset – Second Phone Number,
- SlidePic – Slideshow Maker,
- Astro+ Horoscope & Astrology,
- FaceMe－Fun Personality Tests,
- Widget PLUS+ – Photo & Weather,
- aipic – Magic Photo Editor,
- Path – Horoscope & Astrology,
- Photo Collage – Collageable,
- Hub – Story Templates Maker,
- iWidget Pro : Custom widgets,
- Video Puzzles – Magic Puzzle,
- Menu Maker!,
- edjing Mix – dj, Guitar – Chords, Tabs & Games,
- Piano – Lessons & Tiles Games,
- WeDrum: Drums,
- Real Drum Games,
- Metronome – Tap Tempo & Rhythm,
- Guitar Tuner – Ukulele & Bass,
- Guitar – real games & lessons,
- Drums: Play Beats & Drum Games,
- Beat maker pro – DJ Drum Pad,
- Karaoke Songs – Voice Singing,
- Piano Crush – Keyboard Games,
- edjing Pro – music remix maker,
- DJ it! – Music Mixer Pad, Jambl: DJ Band & Beat Maker,
- Guitar Play – Games & Songs,
- Memoristo: Brain Test, IQ Game,
- Loop Maker Pro – Music Maker,
- Metronome Pro – Beat & Tempo,
- Equalizer+ HD music player,
- Bass Booster Volume Power Amp,
- Equalizer Fx: Bass Booster App,
- ScanGuru: PDF Document Scanner,
- Drink Water ∙ Daily Reminder,
- Password Manager – Lock Apps,
- Live Wallpaper Maker: 4K Theme,
- RECOLLECT: Color by Number,
- Avatar Maker Character Creator,
- Translator Guru: Voice & Text,
- Ringtones HD ∙ Ringtone Maker,
- Scanner App ∙ Scan & Sign PDF và Translate Camera – Speak On.
