The surge of mobile AI apps has led to a proliferation of lookalikes, many of which are dubious or outright malicious. Developers spoof trusted brands like OpenAI’s ChatGPT to market apps that promise “AI image generation” and “smart chat,” often hiding malware within. A 2025 Appknox study reveals these apps span from harmless wrappers that merely create privacy risks to adware that misleads users while funneling their data to advertisers. The most dangerous clones, such as WhatsApp Plus, disguise spyware to intercept sensitive information.
To protect yourself from these threats, download apps only from official stores, verify developer names, read user reviews carefully, limit app permissions, and maintain mobile security software. If an app exhibits suspicious behavior, uninstall it immediately. Safeguard your device by staying informed about cybersecurity threats. Download Malwarebytes for proactive protection against malicious apps.
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