Security News > 2021 > March > Fleeceware Apps Bank $400M in Revenue
About 204 different "Fleeceware" applications with a combined billion+ downloads have raked in more than $400 million in revenue so far, via the Apple App Store and Google Play, analysis has revealed.
Fleeceware apps generally offer users a free trial to "Test" the app, before commencing automatic payments that can be exorbitant.
The company found that most of the offending apps are musical instrument apps, palm readers, image editors, camera filters, fortune tellers, QR code and PDF readers, and something called "Slime simulators," which allow users to play with virtual goo.
Most of the apps that Avast discovered are offering a free three-day trial, according to the research.
"As these applications are not considered malware and are available on official app stores, they also have access to official advertisement channels to spread the fleeceware scheme," he noted.
Apps could be required to ask for another confirmation before paying money for the actual subscription once the free trial is over.