{"id":21988,"date":"2023-12-07T03:00:12","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T03:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/?p=21988"},"modified":"2023-12-07T09:52:35","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T09:52:35","slug":"how-to-spot-a-fake-calculator-app","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-spot-a-fake-calculator-app\/","title":{"rendered":"Fake calculator apps: What they are and how to spot them"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”2px||4px|2%|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Emily Lawrenson” position=”Qustodio writer” image_url=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/11\/09185059\/Emily.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||24px|7px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” position_text_align_tablet=”” position_text_align_phone=”center” position_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2022\/02\/07153210\/Calculator-Vault-Apps_BlogRebranding_InsideImage_Cover_BlogImage_Desktop.jpg” alt=”Tips to help your child stay safe during the back to school period” title_text=”Calculator Vault Apps_BlogRebranding_InsideImage_Cover_BlogImage_Desktop” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||24px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Children seeking to keep things private is nothing new – but did you know that now, there\u2019s an app for that? Secret vault apps have been around for years, but children are now using them to store personal, private information that could even have legal consequences if found. Here\u2019s everything you as a parent should know about calculator vault apps, what using them means for your child, and <\/span>how to spot a fake calculator app<\/b> on your child\u2019s phone.<\/b>
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What are calculator vault apps? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Calculator vault apps are secret apps that can be installed on a smartphone or tablet, which are <\/span>designed to look just like a regular calculator application<\/b> on the surface. Most calculator vault apps can be used as a calculator would be, providing normal mathematical functions such as subtraction and multiplication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many different versions of calculator vault apps now available for download, but they all have one thing in common: their goal is to act as a front for private images and files. <\/span>Users can upload secret pictures and videos to calculator vault apps<\/b>, hidden behind a password. In order to access these private files, the user enters a password into the calculator, which they will have established at setup. This allows them to access the private files inside and upload new files that the user wishes to keep a secret.\u00a0<\/span>
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Why kids use fake calculator apps<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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As we live in an increasingly connected world, helping children stay safe by monitoring their online activities is something most parents now do regularly. As a natural consequence, <\/span>some children may feel that their privacy is being invaded<\/b>, and they may look to calculator vault apps as a space to hide the images and files that they don\u2019t want people to know about – either parents, friends, or siblings. Adults could easily use them too, to <\/span>hide pictures that they don\u2019t want others seeing in their camera roll<\/b>, for example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While this might sound innocent in practise (everyone feels the need for privacy), <\/span>many of the images that are uploaded to calculator vault apps are sexual in nature<\/b>. Sexting<\/a> is becoming a more common practice among young people today, with 14.8% of 11-17 year olds having sent a sext, and 24.7% receiving one. Calculator vault apps offer a place for young people to hide nude pictures, screenshots of sexting conversations, contacts they don\u2019t want you to see in their address book, and even apps that they can use to send sexts.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, some calculator vault apps use the phone\u2019s camera to take a snapshot of an \u201cintruder\u201d, should an incorrect password be entered. This snapshot is stored in the vault to show the user who has been trying to access their files.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Are calculator vault apps safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]There are many developers out there making calculator vault apps available for download, so it\u2019s difficult to understand which ones really help keep data and information secure<\/a> or not, as their individual use will vary. It\u2019s worth reminding your child that <\/span>nothing uploaded to the internet is 100% safe and secure<\/b>. There have been cases of users being locked out from their vault app and <\/span>unable to retrieve private images<\/span><\/a>, as Apple and Google crack down on developers.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the very nature of calculator vault apps renders them unsafe for children, as they may be using them to hide sexual images. Under 18s are not able to give consent for their naked image to be created or shared, so if they have one on their phone, stored in secret, this is against the law. <\/span>Children may not understand the severity of taking and sharing nude images<\/b>, or engaging in sexting, so whether you suspect your child is using a calculator vault app or not, it\u2019s a good idea to speak about consent and online activity with your child, to help them understand the implications of their behavior online.\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2022\/02\/07153444\/Calculator-Vault-Apps_BlogRebranding_Insideimage_Desktop.jpg” alt=”Technology tips to help with the back to school routine” title_text=”Calculator Vault Apps_BlogRebranding_Insideimage_Desktop” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How to spot a fake calculator app<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]There are several things that might help you to <\/span>spot a fake calculator app<\/span> if you\u2019re concerned your child is using one.<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]1. Check the app memory size<\/b><\/p>\n

Because calculator vault apps look like a regular calculator, it\u2019s very hard to tell just by looking at the icon. One of the best ways to check if the calculator installed on your child\u2019s phone is real or not is to check the calculator\u2019s memory size. If the app is larger in size than 30MB, it could be a signal that the calculator is in fact a vault app.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How you do this depends on the type of phone: on an iPhone, you can head to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On an Android, you\u2019ll find it listed under Settings, where you\u2019ll want to check \u201cStorage\u201d. <\/span>
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2. See how many calculator apps your child has on their phone<\/b><\/p>\n

It might seem obvious, but if your child has more than one calculator app on their phone, one could be a private vault app. However, some children need to use scientific calculators for homework purposes, so the presence of an extra calculator doesn\u2019t always mean there\u2019s something to worry about. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]3. Search for the name of the calculator app on the app store<\/b><\/p>\n

If you can see the name of the app on your child\u2019s phone, look it up. The app description will show you if the calculator is real, or if it\u2019s a way to keep private files secret.\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]4. Search for \u201cvault app\u201d on the app store<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Typing in \u201cvault app\u201d on the app store will give you a long list of calculator vault options for download. However, if your child has already downloaded one of these apps, then instead of \u201cDownload\u201d, the writing will read \u201cOpen\u201d on the app itself.\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]If you don\u2019t want to check your child\u2019s phone, and you\u2019re worried about them downloading and using vault apps without your knowledge, here are some of the <\/span>signs your child could be using a fake calculator app<\/b>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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