Fleecing initially meant taking the
wool off the back of a sheep. Then, it meant taking someone’s money
dishonestly. Predictably, fleeceware means software that 'fleeces’ the user.
How does it work?
You install an app on Google play. The app has a trial period,
after which you are charged. You will be automatically charged if you don’t
cancel the subscription before the trial period ends. Most users uninstall the
app if they are not happy, and app developers take that as a cancellation. But
NOT Fleeceware. Fleeceware charges the user even if the user has uninstalled
the app, if they do not cancel. The term was coined by security firm, Sophos,
in a September 2018 release.
How can one save themselves from
fleeceware?
The best way, of course, is to not install apps that require you
to pay an amount that you do not want to pay. The charges on some of these apps
are really high.
The second safeguard is to read the Terms and Conditions.
And the final, is to keep an eye on
your Google Pay options.
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| Taking the coat off our back? |
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