Windows Store Infested with Fake Apps

[Marshall Honorof]

The Windows Store is full of sleazy apps that could cost you money and system security, and Microsoft may have no solid plans to fix it.

Windows Store Infested with Fake Apps : Read more

 

[Innocent_Bystander]

Windows Store Infested with Fake Apps

Really? I never noticed. But then again, I never opened it for anything other than the 8.1 upgrade either.

Does anyone actually use the Windows Store?

 

[red77star]

There are no high quality Metro apps to start with because platform to start with sucks.

 

[razor512]

Well that is one of the main issues when you force an app store down everyone's throat. It creates a false sense of security which prevents people from doing their due diligence when looking for software.

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

I use common sense when browsing through apps. Whenever I encounter priced apps (or even some free apps) that look unfamiliar or shady, I just ignore them. I would only download apps from trusted companies, such as Facebook, Netflix, CNN, or Verizon.

 

[w8gaming]

Windows store had a lot problems when it first started. For example, it did not include the number of downloads of the app. Normally I considered if number of downloads is in millions or more is a clear sign that the app is actually good and most likely not phoney. Then and the user comment. Haven't even used the Windows store for a more than a year so not sure how it is now. But fake apps were plenty in the past and apparently it is still just as bad now.

 

[jll544]

I tried once to report a fake app to the Windows store, but Microsoft makes it absurdly difficult. Their complaint process requested that I submit legal proof and testimony that the app was misappropriating others' trademarks, content, etc. WTF? I'm not the owner, so of course I'm not going through all that. I was just trying to do the right thing and report the obviously fake app, but apparently Microsoft just doesn't care until it gets to the point of lawyers becoming involved.

 

[mrmez]

Yeah, but at least its not the App Store.
Thats REALLY $h!t

 

[portentous]

The policing and maintenance of the Windows Store is non-existent. Quality apps are few. Rubbish and rip-offs are plenty in the app store. And Microsoft is wondering why no one loves Windows 8. The least MS could do is putting out a few benchmark apps out there, whether free or paid. The Windows app store is definitely another reason MS has given the world to HATE Windows 8. Seriously, MS was caught out that most people still want to use the Desktop (to run real softwares), look at the messy App store. Anyone still play Solitaire on Windows 8?

 

[kajjot]

I do agree with the fake app problem but this is mostly caused by legit publishers not making apps for windows 8.
I'm a big fan of Netflix and VLC apps but other than that there is nothing.
I would like Yahoo Sports, Major News Apps and wider range of media players.
In all fairness Apple Store didn't appear overnight so eventually it will be better.

 

[damianrobertjones]

So, article writer, how many of these apps also exist on the other stores? A whole load, thousands even, or maybe even the exact same amount.

These apps are offering a SERVICE and, as a user, it's up to ME to decide to buy them. I could buy products from Amazon that are less than original. How about eBay? Life is full of this stuff.

 

[cats_Paw]

I use common sense when browsing through apps. Whenever I encounter priced apps (or even some free apps) that look unfamiliar or shady, I just ignore them. I would only download apps from trusted companies, such as Facebook, Netflix, CNN, or Verizon.

Dude... you cant ask people to have common sense! Thats like asking them to think or somethin!

 

[Adroid]

It's quite obvious that the windows 8 "I wish I was Apple but I'm not" attempt was a big fail.

Let's hope Microsoft returns focus back to what they are best at - dominating the world market for a business friendly OS platform that's designed for PCs and laptops - not touch screen tablets...

 

[pedling]

Antivirus anyone?
http://goo.gl/O5pPiz

 

[zbuckone]

It sounds to me like a fix is in order. Microsoft is usually pretty good in keeping up with things like this. Let's get on the ball.

 

[Simon Mackay]

An issue that I see that is surfacing with app stores is the tendency for them to end up with a lot of junk just like with the bulletin boards, CD-ROMs and Internet download sites of the 1990s being full of crap shareware-driven software, sometimes known as "shovel-ware". What we have to do is pay a lot of attention to information like star ratings, reviews or whether the software was determined as a "hot pick", "editor's choice" or something similar by the app store or just simply had popular word-of-mouth commentary. Even paying attention to reviews from the same developer can identify whether one is turning out "crap-ware" or good stuff.