What are the disadvantages of alarm clock apps for Android? Roskachestvo told how to choose an alarm clock application for Android.
Alarm clock apps for Android can be used as spyware. These are the conclusions reached by experts from Roskachestvo. According to them, many applications are also trying to get permissions to access smartphone data, and some of them contain ads that interfere with the use of the program.
What applications were analyzed in Roskachestvo?
As part of the study, specialists from the Center for Digital Expertise of Roskachestvo tested 70 Android applications in the Alarm Clocks category. Among them were both popular and little-known programs. For example, these are alarm clock free easy wakeup, Alarm clock – free alarm clock, Metro-Alarm clock, Craft Timer – an unusual timer and alarm clock, Alarm clock for me is free, Clock – Galaxy S9 Digital (Alarm, Timer, Stopwatch), “Alarm clock – alarm reminder time”, etc.
What permissions do alarm clock apps ask for?
The alarm clock can work without access to any information that is stored in the smartphone's memory. But if access to file storage with melodies can be justified, then such an application does not need to know the geolocation of the device. However, the programs alarm clock free easy wakeup, Alarm clock – free alarm clock, Metro-Alarm clock, Craft Timer – an unusual timer and alarm clock and Alarm clock for free for me ask for such information.
A request for permission to view the local Wi-Fi network and all devices connected to it was recorded in the Default Alarm Clock by Gerard Werth wolrd, Alarm Clock Free, Clock – Galaxy S9 Digital (Alarm, Timer, Stopwatch) and Alarm Clock – alarm reminder time “.
Individual applications also want access to the contact list and the ability to add new users to it. These are “Funny Ringtones”, “Funny Alarm Ringtones”, “Alarm Clock Radio Free” and “Simple Alarm Clock”.
In general, 49% of all programs studied abuse permissions and less than 5% of applications do not ask for them at all. For example, this is the Clock app from Google LLC.
Which apps turned out to be spyware?
The experts rated the programs as spyware if they were given permission to use the microphone, read the phone number, and call ID. Such features were found in the Alarm4Me-Alarm (+ 1time), speak memo, snooze, Alarm Clock Alarm TM, Night Clock, SpinMe Alarm Clock and Alarm Clock with your Friends – Alarmer apps.
What other problem did the experts find with alarm clock apps?
Experts have found that 98% of applications have ads, and only 25% of them can be turned off for an additional fee.
Advertising in pop-up notifications, which greatly interferes with the user when working with the application, is in SpinMe Alarm Clock and Alarm clock – free alarm clock. And banners in full screen, which are shown on top of all windows, are available for Alarm4Me-Alarm (+ 1time), speak memo and snooze.
How Do I Pick a Good Alarm Clock App?
Roskachestvo experts recommend using the built-in alarm clock application, which is already in the smartphone. If you still need to install a third-party program, experts advise:
download applications only from official stores, avoiding unofficial or pirated sources; carefully study the permissions that the application asks for; do not ignore system security updates of the platform; – always use an antivirus.
