Our smartphones will generally be safe from malicious apps as long as we only get our apps from the associated app stores and avoid jailbreaking or rooting your phone. 

Jailbreaking or rooting phones allows users to sidestep controls the manufacturers install in their devices and mostly performed by tech savvy users. 

But a scam is in circulation that will allow malicious apps to sneak onto your phone, even for those that haven't modified the controls on their smartphones. 

The scam generally begins with a well-crafted text message or email with a link to an interesting app download. 

When you tap on the link, it can start the process of exploiting just about any phone, even if the security is still in place.
This further stresses the importance of my long standing advice: If you did not specifically go looking for an app, never install it. 

These scammers are able to create very persuasive
