Repackaged applications: Are They A Viable Alternative?

The term repackaging is the process of packaging anything again or slightly different from the original state; when it comes to applications, repackaging means creating an alternative that is personally customized to have personal installations and settings. For instance, if a specific setup that a user intends to install, and that setup is limited to allowing a single device usage, you can repackage that typical .exe setup using a particular repackaging software and reinstalling it for other intended devices.

Prevalent usage of repacked applications is on the game world is repacked games. Users or entertainment enthusiasts prefer to get cracked and repacked a free game instead of paying for them. It might seem beneficial from the user side, but developers and creators of the game are getting rigged from the benefits of their hard work. These practices already have a minimal number of pros, but, on the other hand, the security issues and the negative impacts of such methods can be severe.

Benefits of Repacking Applications

There aren’t significant security benefits of being able to repack a specific software or application. But from a personal point of view, being able to customize and modify the software to personal preference and creating MSI packages can be suitable for the user to simplify and alter. Installation or uninstallation process reducing the time it takes to go through the whole process. Also, doing the practice has been known for aiding different enterprises to manage the growing mass numbers of various applications and software for servers and personal computer desktops. The process can help reduce the significant management cost and effectively assist in production costs.

The following are some benefits of repackaging applications:

• Application customization

• Installation simplification

• Time-saving

• Storage space reduction

Risks of Repacking Applications

The security risks of repacking applications are impeccable, specifically when it comes to security. It causes severe vulnerabilities and may play a significant role in getting into the hands of social engineers. Repacked applications are prone to many phishing and whaling attacks; nearly 80% of the top 50 free apps found in Google play have a counterpart version. These apps may be found in different categories. More than half of counterpart applications today are included in the ‘high-risk’ and ‘malicious’ category due to the risks they have to users.

The following are some risks of repackaging applications:

• Phishing and Identity theft attacks

• Prone to social engineering

• Getting full benefits of the applications

• Low-class features

At the end of the road, repacking applications might seem beneficial, but it’s quite the contrary since the risk factor is much higher than the benefits it provides; Better Mobile Security highly advises to refrain from these actions and practices.