Bright and shiny new things!

Beta testing is an opportunity for real users to use a product in a production environment, to help uncover any bugs and issues before its general release, and to try out its customer experience.

Participating in beta testing can be really exciting. Companies and brands can make you feel important and part of an exclusive collective, giving you a sneak peek into your favourite apps.

But there's a darker side to the bright and shiny new things syndrome that beta testing can bring.

In fact, the FBI has recently shared some information that may make you think twice about signing up for beta testing.

Cyber criminals have started hiding malicious code in fake beta versions of popular apps, turning unsuspecting people’s smartphones into their personal piggy banks.

Everyone's experienced bright and shiny new things syndrome at some point in their lives, and apps' beta versions have a certain allure, but did you know that they haven't gone through the rigorous security checks that apps in the official app stores must pass?

Here's a brief explanation of how cyber criminals can steal from beta testers.

The criminals send fake emails pretending to be the developers of popular apps, offering early access to new beta versions.

But the apps are fake versions. Once installed, they can do all sorts of bad things, including accessing data from your finance apps and even taking over your phone.

If that's not frightening enough, let's add in the possibility that staff are using company devices to sign up for these fake beta tests.

If your staff download them onto company devices, could your business be compromised?

There’s a really simple moral to this story - patience is a virtue.

Our advice is really simple - hold off on downloading beta versions of apps and wait until they're stable and officially released in app stores. Good things come to those who wait.

If you have downloaded beta versions in the past, keep an eye out for red flags like faster battery drain, poor performance, persistent pop-up ads, and apps asking for unnecessary permissions.

We must be as smart and savvy as the technology we use. So, before you hit download, take a moment to think: is this app worth the risk?

Train your staff to think the same way. And if you do give them business phones, consider a Mobile Device Management solution to control what they can do with them.

We can help keep all your devices better protected, so just get in touch if we can help you.