Stolen apps, be careful!

[jessamy99]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to warn you all about something that happened to me.

I occasionally do a Google search for my apps.
On this occasion about three weeks ago, I searched for my app called Treat Yourself - Solfeggio.

One of the results came up as Free App Treat Yourself Solfeggio, with xyz at the end of the website address.
I followed the links and arrived at a website called appstoredownloadz.xyz

There were ALL my apps being offered for free!
There was a bar code to be used and you were then directed to the Play Store to download the app.

I got in contact with Google support and they said they could do nothing!
So, I emailed the site.
After the third email in which I had mentioned breach of copyright, I had a reply.

I was asked for the id numbers of my apps.
I replied that I was not prepared to give any personal information.
I listed the names of all my apps and asked that they remove them from their site, and confirm by email after.
I was very polite.

I then had confirmation that they had been removed, and when I checked, they were no longer there.

The reason I am posting this here is because this site has literally thousands of apps.
Do check that yours have not been stolen too.

All the best,
Jessamy.

[jessamy99]

Hi again,

I just found another site doing the same...

http://m.downloadatoz.com/

Just go there and search for your apps.

All the best,
Jessamy

[jacque]

There are dozens of sites like these and there's not much you can do about it unless you devote all your time to tracking them down. My apps are there too and I've known about it for years. While they may have taken your apps down, it's probable that they will return at some point.

I couldn't find anything about the first site you listed but the downloadatoz site is apparently broken and most or all the servers are offline according to one reputation check I read. These sites distribute malware, so a user who downloads from any of them is risking the integrity of their device. Most people who know anything about security will only download from Google Play or Amazon, or directly from a trusted developer's web site. The pirates can't be stopped. Even if there were no sites like these, Android apps are easy to distribute without limitation and your app will just end up on someone's private server or passed via email.

It's a losing battle. Direct your attention to your honest users instead.

[jessamy99]

Thankyou Jacque!

It is reassuring to read your message.
I had no idea these sites existed!

The first site removed my apps so that was good.

All the best,
Jessamy

[jacque]

I had no idea these sites existed!

That's because you're honest. Most people are. I found my apps the same way you did -- I did a search 2 years ago and all my stuff was there. I was angry for a while, then I gave up.

[MaxV]

The real problem that Android lacks a real protection system for copyright apps.
For example, Google Play just avoids to download the app if you don't pay, and it avoids a not rooted phone to copy the app.
But tha app itself has not any security feature to check a license key or other similar feature.
If you have the APK, you can install anywhere.

[kurt]

However, the Symbian OS was an example of an operating system that had an elaborate licensing system in place. In theory it was a good idea, but in practice it just punished legitimate users, who, for example, might want to switch phones without having to contact the developer for a new certificate.