Bottom line: Security leaders must monitor Early Access apps closely for potential threats.
What's happening: Attackers are misusing the Early Access program, which allows developers to release apps before they're available to the general public. According to a report by Check Point, over 3,000 apps were added to the Early Access program between 2020 and 2022. These apps claim to offer money, rewards, casino winnings, and premium content. The majority of these apps originated from China.
What to do: Security teams should prioritize Early Access app monitoring and ensure that all users are aware of the potential risks associated with these apps. Security leaders should also consider implementing additional security measures, such as app signing verification, to protect users from potential threats.