Which applications What are some apps that you can’t miss in your life? Social networks, video and music streaming, games, deliveries, banking or all of them together? Present in the lives of Brazilians, some apps are used more by the majority of the country, but they are the dating apps and social media who share first place.
The information comes from the survey “Brazil Consumer Expectations of Mobile App Security”, carried out by Appdome and the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP), obtained with exclusivity for the CNN ; The research brings together the most used applications by Brazilians in 2024.
According to the organizers of the research, the dating apps and the social media Firstly, they reveal significant trends in the digital and social behavior of Brazilians, which can be explained by people’s growing search for new ways to relate and create personal, business or romantic connections. online and digital form with an eye on the ease and convenience that technology offers, replacing or complementing traditional interactions.
Second place is occupied by digital banks. In addition, the use of digital wallets and fintechs continues to grow and offer practical and accessible alternatives for managing finances and making purchases online.
Finally, the mobility and delivery apps continue uam on the rise. With life getting busier and busier, services like Uber , 99 and iFood are choices of a large part of the public.
The research also points out that 84.5% of Brazilians prefer to use mobile apps to make purchases, a number 53% higher than the global average.
Types of applications most used by Brazilians
- Social media (Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Tinder, Bumble, among others) – with 56.9% preference among users;
- Banking applications , investments and digital wallets – 47.9% and 42.4%; and
- Food Delivery Apps (iFood) and mobile gaming/betting – 41.2% and 34.1%, respectively.
Tom Tovar, CEO and co-founder of Appdome, told CNN How users can identify whether an app is safe before downloading it on their devices.
“Before downloading an app, 96.7% of Brazilians seek information about the security and privacy measures adopted by brands, according to a recent survey by Appdome. This makes app store reviews a good source of reference. Therefore, protecting mobile apps is now a business issue that can affect both the audience reached and the revenue of a brand. Consumers expect brands and developers to take responsibility for the security of their apps. With cyber threats becoming increasingly complex, users cannot protect themselves alone, which makes it essential for companies to take action in this regard,” he said.
Tovar even states that banking, payments, retail and health applications are the most worrying in terms of vulnerabilities and exposure to hacker attacks .
“In addition to these, dating apps and loyalty programs are becoming increasingly worrying since they store personal data and carry out transactions – whether in cash or points – making them attractive targets for criminals. The way users perceive the security and care of their data directly impacts the trust they place in the brand, which influences the success and popularity of the application”, he comments.
Good practices for data protection
With the variety of techniques and tools used by hackers To attack mobile applications at different levels, it becomes essential to think about different security alternatives.
“It is time for consumers to also hold brands accountable for the safe use of apps. There are security tools that protect passwords, facial recognition and other authentication methods, in addition to ensuring privacy and security in transactions. Brands need to take advantage of advances in mobile app protection to automate these security measures, ensuring the protection of both their brand and the users of their apps,” he says.
How do you know if your device is under attack?
They exist several signs that may indicate that your device has been compromised such as slowness, constant crashes, unexpected delays, and excessive battery or data usage.
Tom also ensures that other warning signs can be identified, such as:
- The presence of unknown applications, pop-ups, overlapping messages and strange system behavior, such as shutdowns or restarts without reason;
- Additionally, if you receive alerts about unauthorized login attempts or notice that your device is making calls or sending messages on its own, this could also be a sign that it has been hacked. “If you notice these signs, it’s important to take immediate action: change your passwords, enable two-step authentication, and contact technical support to find out what to do next,” he advises.
New security trends with AI
With millions of financial transactions , personal data and sensitive information being accessed via smartphones, protecting these devices from cyber threats is essential.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against hackers, offering new solutions and innovative trends to ensure the security of mobile devices.
The CEO assures that the latest trends in mobile application security are focused on making protection more automatic and effective.
“Nowadays, we use advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine learning to protect applications more intelligently. This means developers can add multiple layers of security, such as encryption and malware protection, without having to write complex code manually. Additionally, real-time monitoring allows businesses to quickly detect and respond to new threats as they emerge, ensuring they are always one step ahead of problems. We are also seeing the application of generative AI in customer support, which helps resolve security issues in real time and improves the overall user experience without compromising security,” he concludes.
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This content was originally published in Apps trending in Brazil: what do users download and use the most? on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
