What are Rogue Mobile apps?
With over 5.2B smartphone users worldwide, mobile apps are part of everyday life — but not all are legitimate. Rogue apps impersonate trusted brands, trick users into downloading harmful software, and damage brand reputation and trust. In Europe alone, mobile app fraud topped $2B between 2022–2023, exposing consumers and brands to real financial risk.
1.1M
Malicious and potentially unwanted installation packages in 2024
3.3M
Attacks involving malware, adware or unwanted mobile apps prevented.
$2.05B
Estimated value mobile app frauds in 2023
Key Threats:
Unauthorized APKs let apps bypass official store security, making it easier for cybercriminals to distribute fake or modified apps and steal user data.
Banking Trojans hide in plain sight and activate when a legitimate banking app is opened, making them easy to deploy but hard to detect.
Fake apps mimic trusted brands to deceive users, leading to financial scams, unauthorized transactions, and loss of consumer trust.
Some rogue apps secretly install malware, encrypting user data or spying on activities, posing risks to both individuals and businesses
Damage Caused
Loss of
Revenue
Mobile app scams divert potential customers away from genuine apps or from genuine sales.
Reputational
Damage
When users download fraudulent apps impersonating trusted brands, confidence is shattered.
Data Breach &
Privacy Concerns
If scammers gain access to this personal data, it can result in significant data breaches, identity theft, and legal liabilities.
Legal
Liability
Brands may face legal actions and regulatory penalties if they fail to adequately protect their users from mobile app scams.
Where they Appear
The BrandShield Solution
Threat Intelligence
BrandShield employs advanced AI-based detection tools, to identify and flag fraudulent mobile apps, APK’s and malicious app stores.
Analysis
Our experienced analysts thoroughly investigate flagged threats, examining app behavior, permissions, and distribution patterns to accurately assess risk levels.
Takedown and Enforcement
Our trained enforcement professionals to ensure swift takedowns. This proactive approach mitigates the risk of users falling victim to scams
Monitoring
Proactive monitoring adapted through machine learning ensures quick detection and response to protect users and brand reputation. Brands