Lifehacker’s Complete Guide for iOSLifehacker’s Complete Guide for iOSApple’s iPhone is easy to learn but difficult to master. Instead of spending hours sifting through the settings yourself, check out our huge collection of guides, tips, and tricks for everything iOS-related.

We regularly Go to shady apps found in the Google Play Store, But Apple’s App Store also has a fair share of threats. The platform is full of iOS apps that trick unsuspecting users into costly – and in some cases not mentioned – in-app transactions. These apps hide their scams in otherwise legitimate functions to bypass Apple’s verification process and then increase their user ratings with fake reviews and downloads.

Predator apps are not a new phenomenon. In 2019 An infamous iOS heart rate monitor app has reappeared on the App Store Just eight months after it was banned from scamming users with their hard-earned cash. The app claimed to use the fingerprint Touch ID scanner of some iOS devices to track the user’s heart rate. However, users inadvertently used their fingerprints to silently approve a $ 89 transaction.

At the time of the return of the app Apps Exposed reported More than 500 other iOS apps used similar tactics to scam users. Many of these apps have since been removed, but new ones appear in the App Store every day.

Unsurprisingly, many are based on adult content – especially peer-to-peer video chatting, free porn, and casual sex. However, many Con apps are not based on adult content. Many other categories – photo / video filters, quizzes and games, health and wellness, and backgrounds or UI topics – are also common targets.

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A more recent example, like from Kosta Eleftheriou on Twitteris Star Gazer +. At the time of Eleftherious Tweets, the app had over 80,000 reviews averaging 4.6 stars (at the time of this writing, it now has a 4.4 star rating based on over 1,100 reviews). At first glance, this seems like a legitimate app. However, read through the reviews and you will find an entirely different story. The majority are 1 star, and almost all of them generate tremendous, unexpected in-app purchases. Many users found that they were signed up for an expensive subscription just to tap the refresh button.

Despite the negative reviews and user complaints, Star Gazer + continues to be available on the App Store with a cheap average rating and lots of obviously fake 5-star reviews – as well as hundreds of other scam apps. Some of these apps have managed to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in total revenue from users over the past year.

It’s surprising that so many Con apps bypass the App Store’s strict guidelines, but their prevalence suggests that Apple is unable or unwilling to deal with them properly. Sure, maybe these app developers aren’t breaking a law or infecting users with malware, but they are still acting maliciously. And until Apple takes this problem seriously, it is up to the user to keep these products away from their devices.

Here are some tips to help protect yourself from App Store fraud:

• Read users’ reviews carefully before downloading them. Yes, even if the averages are high and there are tons of them. If you look carefully and comb through the reviews, you will find some who call these apps scams.
• Check external sources. Refer to unfamiliar apps on user forums, Reddit, and blogs like Apps Exposed before downloading them.
• Know the limitations of your device. If an app flaunts features or services that seem too good to be true, it’s likely a fake. Don’t download or buy anything it sells.
• Watch out for hidden subscriptions. While many free apps offer extra paid premium features and in-app purchases, you don’t subscribe to any app to use features or access content that is freely available elsewhere.
• Call Out Scam When You Find One. Shady developers keep uploading new scam apps, and it’s impossible to catch them all before someone is scammed. If an app bumps you unexpectedly, report suspicious activity from Apple and leave a review warning others that the app is a scam.

Conclusion: An unknown app should always be approached with caution. When in doubt, don’t put them on your device – and keep your finger (or Face ID) away from typical in-app purchase approval methods, too.

Brendan updated this piece on February 11th, 2021 with new information on the latest iOS scams. We also changed the header image.

Thursday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals

It’s February 11, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day. Get your glow on with up to 44% off I Dew Care Products. Optimize your music experience with Boltune Active Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds. And binge-watch everything Prime Video has to offer with the Fire HD 10 tablet.

If you’re still craving more deals, take a peek at Thursday’s best deals overall.

I’m so proud of you for still wearing a mask, it’s super cool of you. But do you need an upgrade or maybe something a little more heavy-duty? Or maybe you just want to put your mind at ease with something a smidge more protective? Grab 40 of the KN95 masks from MorningSave right now for just $29.

These are industry-standard which means they are supposed to filter 95 percent of particles. That is just about as good as you can get. So the mask obviously doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of catching or spreading something but if you wear it correctly it still drastically reduces the likelihood. These are also great if you’ve got severe allergies or asthma and protect against pollen, dander, and whatnot. The KN-95 isn’t made for clinical environments not that you’re performing surgery with these but they will definitely protect you and others against what is currently out there. Not all heroes wear capes, but they do wear masks. So thank you.

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If you’ve read a few of our pieces on MorningSave before and you like what you’ve seen they offer a $5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders no matter how many.

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This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.

I Dew Care is one of my favorite companies and twenty of their products are on sale right now. I have three of their products on my nightstand as I write this. Everything I’ve tried has left me really happy. You won’t be disappointed with anything you pick, and this is an excellent sale with up to 44% in savings.

The Vitamin To-Glow Pack saves my skin in winter. I actually don’t think I can live without their Plush Party lip mask and use it every night. It turns even the dryest of pouts into a soft smile by morning. Made with cocoa butter, hibiscus flower extract, and vitamin C it’s formulated to hydrate the heck out of sad kissers. The Bright Side Up serum soothes dry patches and absolutely does as it says, brightens dull, tired snow assaulted faces. Much the same, Say You Dew does the same as a moisturizing gel, and I use this after a shower and before makeup if I’m having a particularly dry, spotty day.

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The Matcha Mood wash-off face treatment is wonderful if your skin is irritated or a little broken out. The aloe calms it down and evens out the redness. It also works well if you’ve got a bit of a sunburn. Both green tea and matcha have antioxidants that can infuse life back into your skin, giving it the glow it deserves. All you do is leave it on for about ten minutes, then gently wash it off. I like to use it on Monday and Friday as a treat to bookend my week. You will get your money’s worth because this tub will last you a while.

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For the face mask aficionados, grab the Let’s Get Sheet Faced pack. We know K-Beauty does these better than anyone, and I Dew Care is no exception. This pack has fourteen of them made from eucalyptus fibers, so you’ll feel like a cuddly baby koala. Each mask has a specialty: tightening, moisturizing, nourishing, calming, and brightening. This is a great deal for such a variety.

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Free shipping on all these items for Prime members.

This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari. 

If you’re in the market for a high end gaming laptop and you’ve got some money to spend, I’ve got a powerhouse for you. Newegg has MSI’s GL65 Leopard on sale for $899 and it’s an absolute beast. The biggest draw of this 15.6″ screen is that it sports a 144Hz refresh rate. That means that you can run games at super high framerates without losing picture quality. That’s good news considering this baby comes with a GTX 1660 Ti graphics card. As a trade-off, it’s not a 4K screen, but that’s expected with high refresh rate devices. Even without that, you’re getting a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of memory, and a 1 TB hard drive. Basically, if you like to game, this will do games good. That’s my professional take here.

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This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio. 

Cyberpunk 2077’s launch has been one of the messiest in recent memory. While some are enjoying CD Projekt Red’s ambitious open world game, others are experiencing a wave of bugs and graphical errors that make immersion next to impossible. The last-gen editions of the game are in especially bad shape, leaving fans to wonder if the studio actively tried to hide the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions ahead of release. The situation is so bad that Sony pulled the game from the PlayStation store entirely, leaving CDPR scrambling for fixes. Oh, and there’s that whole cyberattack drama as well, which is unfortunate.

All that said, it’s not really a great time to buy Cyberpunk 2077 if you’re a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One owner. Hell, I played on PC and it still felt like it wasn’t quite ready. So here’s a something to do while you wait for the next big patch: get The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Game of the Year Edition for $10 instead. For those who have yet to play it, it’s a much better introduction to CD Projekt Red and its ability to craft sprawling open world adventures. If you like it, come back to Cyberpunk later this month when the game’s second massive patch is supposed to launch. Or maybe wait until the Complete Edition inevitably drops in a few years.

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This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.

True wireless earbuds with active noise canceling smarts don’t have to break the bank. Case in point: Boltune’s own active noise-canceling buds are just $30 right now at Amazon when you use our exclusive promo code KJGZ4EHS at checkout. That’s a $20 savings off the list price for Bluetooth buds that have a 4.3-star rating from 8,700+ reviews and deliver about 7 hours of battery life per charge, with another 23 hours’ worth available in the compact charging case.

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This deal was originally published by Andrew Hayward.

Disney still has a few things they’d like to clear out before the spring items roll in. Until February 15, take 25% off just about anything in the entire store. Hoodies, figures, cups, pins, bags, and more. Grab something for yourself or a loved one; use the code DISNEYPAL at checkout.

The leader of the house of mouse has never looked better. This colorful and adorable seven-inch figure by Jerrod Maruyama was designed just for the WonderGround Gallery. If you can’t get to one of the Disney Parks just yet, bring the Magic Kingdom to your own home. This vinyl figure is a bold collector’s item and 63% off what it first sold for.

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We know you’re still enamored with The Child because we are too. This Grogu crop top is the cutest way to show your love for the babe of the galaxy. It’s a cotton-poly blend that’s boxy cut with a raw-edge hem. Very chic. There’s also Mandalorian lettering on the top of the shoulders that certainly adds a badass level to this comfy tee.

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Fingers crossed, we are getting this Black Widow movie sooner than later. This is a great deal on this ring from RockLove because their pieces rarely go one sale. I actually own this ring, and it’s gorgeous in person. The classic Widow hourglass emblem shines and sparkles with blood-red crystals. Set in sterling silver, it was then plated in polished black ruthenium to give it a more distressed look. It wraps around the finger perfectly to show the world you’re a boss spy babe. As with all their jewelry, this comes in a beautiful collector’s box.

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Free shipping on orders over $75.

This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari. 

Maybe you’ve seen it on TikTok or Instagram, or maybe even in a viral tweet thread. There’s a zillion of ‘em out there, but these galaxy projectors are a sensation, blasting an array of stars and lighting effects onto your wall and ceiling to savor at nighttime.

If you’ve been wondering about these things but weren’t sure which one to snag, here’s a good option: the GeMoor Star Projector is marked down to just $32 at Amazon today when you clip the 20% off coupon. It has a 4.5-star review average from 3,300+ customers and offers numerous projection modes, plus it has a built-in Bluetooth speaker for playing tunes from your phone. It also comes with a remote control for easy access. Bring the stars to you and wind down in the galactic glow with this bargain.

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This deal was originally published by Andrew Hayward. 

Lelo Soraya 2 | $158 | Ella Paradis | Use Code KINJA10Image: Lelo

As you’ve seen this week, Lelo designs beautiful adult toys that are gorgeously packaged and meticulously tested. The Soraya 2 is hands down my favorite. Use the code KINJA10 at checkout for a total of 30% off this glorious vibe.

I was not prepared for the power that the Soraya 2 has, and it took some getting used to. But once I did, it quickly rose to the top of my list. As with a classic rabbit, you both g-spot and c-spot stimulation. The difference here is it is precise every use. Lelo’s entire line is made from the plushest ultra-silicone, softer than any vibe in my collection. The Soraya 2 was designed to be the perfect shape because Lelo literally did trans-vaginal ultrasounds to engineer the most elite vibrator on the market. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is.

You know I’m a sucker for sex tech, and I was positively surprised by the ingenuity of the Soraya 2. Lelo really took into consideration a woman’s body and needs. There are twelve vibration settings, and it’s effortless to operate with the button placement and the open handle. I wouldn’t say it’s “whisper quiet,” but it’s a lot gentler in the noise department than other toys out there. It absolutely holds its charge and can handle self-love sessions for up to two hours. You also can only use one motor at a time because the dual ones are independent of each other. Which I have to say is a nice feature to mix it up. The Soraya 2 is extremely accomodating, and if you’re looking for something with a kick, this might be the vibe for you. This is approved for watersports, so don’t be afraid to take it on a high seas adventure. Water-based lube is recommended. And please remember to clean your goodies before and after use. Lelo actually has a great spray for that.

This will ship for free.

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This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.

Amazon makes the cheapest brand-name tablets around, and while we wouldn’t put them on par with proper iPads, they’re solid budget-friendly options for use-anywhere streaming media, ebooks, web browsing, and more. Usually, the dirt-cheap Fire 7—currently just $40—and the Fire HD 8 (now $65) catch our attention, but it’s the sizable Fire HD 10 tablet that might be Amazon’s best bargain at the moment.

Right now, the large 1080p slate is just $95, a 37% savings off the $150 list price. This sizable Android tablet gives you a solidly crisp screen ideal for media, apps, browsing, and even games, plus the 12-hour battery life will keep you entertained whether kicking around at home right now or hopefully on future, safe travels.

Amazon’s tablets aren’t the most powerful devices around, so keep your expectations in check as far as glossy 3D gaming and speedy multitasking. However, they hit a sweet spot in terms of function and price and are ideal for consuming media. Amazon customers give the Fire HD 10 a 4.6-star rating and the $95 price is for the 32GB version with ads on the lock screen. The ad-less version is $110, or you can always pay a fee to remove the ads later.

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This deal was originally published by Andrew Hayward. 

Here’s a fun fact about sports games: they tend to be the last games released on older consoles. For whatever reason, gamers who just play Madden or FIFA don’t seem to care about upgrading to a new machine right away. They’re happy to just keep their old system as long as the next annual edition of their favorite sports games keep coming to it. With that in mind, here’s a perfect deal for that specific type of gamer. You can get one year of EA Play on PS4 for $26. Just use the code MOSTLYSPORTS at checkout and you’ll shave a few bucks off the usual price. This may seem niche, but we’ve got to look out for all kinds of gamers here. If you really just plan on keeping your PS4 another year to play the next Madden installment, why not get access to EA’s games service and save some money?

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This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.

Photo: VALERIE MACON / AFP (Getty Images)

In 2007, Britney Spears suffered a very public fall and quickly became a punching bag for the national comedy scene. Impaling Spears for public gaffs – shaving their heads, accidentally exposing them when getting out of a limo, and marrying backup dancer Kevin Federline with a shotgun at a wedding – became something of a comedic layup that the late-night presenters did Show drooling.

America’s happy glee is told in Framing Britney Spears, a new one New York Times documentary about the pop star currently streamed on Hulu and HBO Max. The core of the documentary is an emphasis on the conservation of Spears’ $ 60 million estatewho controls her father Jamie Spears with sole authority. The film also recalls the news cycle of public humiliation against Spears, who at the time was a 25-year-old mother of two who knew nothing but a life of achievement.

As the country remembers the frenzy that followed Spears every waking moment, it’s worth discussing how a talk show host, Craig Ferguson, out of respect for the state of emotional and psychological drudgery it was, decided none To direct barbs or tweezers on the singer.

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Ferguson confronted mankind with cheap and hectic jokes and refused to poke fun at the megastar, even though most of us found it pretty fair to “beat” the rich, popular and successful. Ferguson’s monologue came back for good, instructive reasons: You too can see when it is inappropriate to wallow in despair, whether it is a public figure or someone you personally know.

What is “Punching Up”?

In comedy parlance, “punch up” means to impale or mock someone who has a larger platform and public profile than you. Typically the punching is kosher while the punching is gauche, although the circuses inspired by Spears – and later Tiger Woods – show how identifying which is can be more art than science.

Personally, everyday people tend to turn to similar numbers: perhaps turning their anger on a multimillionaire who enjoyed worldwide admiration just to crumble in the spotlight, or joking about an athletic icon after she fell. There is a psychological impulse to rejoice in the unhappiness of those who are more prominent and successful than we are. It’s something of a psychological kink.

In one Article 2018 in the GuardianTiffany Watt Smith distilled the intercultural meaning of Schadenfreude – a German word that means joy in the unhappiness of others:

The Japanese have a saying: “The misfortunes of others taste like honey.” The French speak of Joie Maligne, a diabolical joy in the suffering of other people. In Danish it’s skadefryd; in Hebrew simcha la-ed; in Mandarin xìng-zāi-lè-huò; in Russian zloradstvo; and for the Melanesians who live on the remote Nissan Atoll in Papua New Guinea, it is Banbanam.

Understand the nuance of the situation

There is a psychological impulse to find solace in others’ difficulties. Only when you fail to understand the real situation behind someone’s unpredictable behavior does the joke go from seemingly harmless to vengeful. People don’t turn for no reason. So before we joke at someone else’s expense, ask ourselves whether we adequately understand why someone is acting strangely.

To take the obvious example, Spears was shaped from the earliest stages of her life into an empire that was deprived of agency and thrown into the megastardom. In the words of Craig Ferguson, she was a “baby” herself, even when she seemed to have the world at her feet.

Ask who is hurting the person

Of course, our opinions can change if the person in question has done something terrible. But in the case of someone like Britney Spears, her breakdown was at the expense of herself and the people closest to her. It can be fun to enjoy the pain of someone making music you loathe, but it only turns us into a bully if we don’t see what makes someone lose their footing and the real impact, resulting from it.

How to decide who is worth ridiculing

There are plenty of times when hitting can be good and clean fun, and that includes berating people for their mistakes – especially if they’re blatant assholes. This works particularly well when it comes to political figures who are not always very motivated and Sometimes use words incorrectly. Do you know a celebrity who was blacklisted for doing something outrageous just for the sake of it Doubling the justifications for their behavior? Belittling people and situations like this is a little different than enjoying the breakdown, celebrity or not. There are plenty of bad guys out there who won’t deal with a poisonous family or pillage paparazzi outside their door. It takes a little effort to separate those who deserve playful ridicule from those who aren’t, but it’s worth it.

Photo: Drachenbilder (Shutterstock)

The words “sympathy” and “empathy” are often used interchangeably, but while both refer to how one reacts to another’s suffering, they do not mean the same or offer the same experience to you or the person receiving them.

Here’s something to start with Grammar says about the history of empathy and sympathy and how they are connected:

Of the two words, empathy is the most recent entry into the English language. Sympathy was in use for nearly 300 years before Empathy made its first written record in the nineteenth century. You may notice that both words contain -pathy, and that makes them similar – they share the same root Greek word pathos, which means “feelings” or “emotions”, but also “suffering” or “unhappiness”. Although both words deal with emotions, they are still far from being synonyms.

What is empathy?

Empathy is the ability to picture yourself in someone else’s situation, either because you have experienced something similar or because you can understand their feelings to a depth that makes it feel like you have them. Being empathic means to create a shared experience with another person.

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Empathy usually looks like someone who is really listening, and it can sound like, “This must be so difficult” and “How are you?” A children’s book about empathy (by Daron K. Roberts) explains it in a way that both adults and children can understand:

It’s when you are feeling with someone who is experiencing something that is tough, sad, or scary. Empathy means listening, not judging, empathizing with them and asking questions.

In other words, empathizing is experiencing someone else’s emotions. It feels like with someone.

What is sympathy?

Sympathy is less about experiencing another person’s emotions and more about feeling and expressing your concern, pity, or sadness over their pain or unhappiness. “Sympathy Cards” are aptly named because they allow you to express the sadness you feel about your experience.

When someone empathizes, they feel bad about what someone else is going through without fully going on the emotional journey with them. Sympathy sounds like “I’m sorry” or “This really sucks.”

In other words, to empathize is to feel sorry for the struggle another is going through. It’s a feeling for someone.