REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE

In their pioneering study, Hu et al. (2019) revolves around the emerging phenomenon of money-
making apps, investigating their features and implications. Money-making apps offer users the
opportunity to earn profits through various tasks, such as installing other apps or clicking on
advertisements, yet the characteristics of these apps remain largely unexplored. The authors address
this gap through an extensive exploratory study aimed at understanding the landscape of money-making
apps. One of the key findings of the study is the prevalence of malicious practices within money-making
apps. Approximately 26% of the studied apps were identified as potentially malicious, exposing mobile
users to significant privacy and security risks. Additionally, the authors uncover instances of user
deception and fraudulent tactics, such as ranking fraud techniques aimed at artificially inflating app
rankings within app markets. Moreover, Hu et al. (2019) highlight the proliferation of inappropriate and
malicious content within money-making apps, posing risks to unsuspecting users. Despite attracting
millions of users, many individuals report being cheated by these apps, indicating a pressing need for
regulatory measures to protect mobile users from exploitation.

In the context of research on the effect of money-making application usage on the allowance of grade 12
students, the study by Hu et al. (2019) offers valuable insights into the potential risks associated with
such apps. While money-making apps present opportunities for earning extra income, their widespread
use raises concerns regarding privacy, security, and fraudulent practices. Adolescents, including grade 12
students, may be particularly vulnerable to these risks, emphasizing the importance of education and
awareness regarding safe and ethical app usage. In general, the study by Hu et al. (2019) emphasizes the
urgency of detecting and regulating money-making apps to safeguard mobile users and mitigate the
adverse effects of their proliferation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the evolving
landscape of mobile app ecosystems and inform future research and policy efforts aimed at ensuring the
safety and integrity of digital platforms.

Nasir et al. (2022) critically focused on the phenomenon of YouTube videos promoting money-
making apps, uncovering an ecosystem where content creators, primarily driven by financial incentives,
inadvertently expose their audience to potentially fraudulent applications. The authors highlight the
persuasive power of user-generated content on YouTube in promoting various products and services,
including mobile apps, to a global audience. They emphasize the lack of awareness among YouTubers
regarding the potential harms associated with the apps they endorse, as well as their limited incentive
and technical expertise to assess these risks thoroughly. The study contributes to the understanding of
the tactics employed by YouTubers to lure users into downloading money-making apps, particularly
targeting audiences in developing regions. Through the collection and analysis of a dataset comprising
YouTube videos promoting such apps, Nasir et al. (2022) examine the popularity of these videos and
apps, the types of tasks they promote (e.g., watching videos, installing other apps, playing games), and
the potential malicious nature of these applications.

This research aligns with existing literature on the persuasive power of digital platforms and the
proliferation of potentially harmful content online. It underscores the need for greater awareness among
users regarding the risks associated with money-making apps promoted through online channels like
YouTube. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of regulatory measures and technological
interventions to protect users from fraudulent practices and ensure the integrity of online platforms. By
illuminating the deceptive practices employed by some YouTubers to promote money-making apps, Nasir
et al. (2022) contribute valuable insights to the literature on digital marketing, user-generated content,
and online consumer behavior. Their findings underscore the complexity of the digital landscape and the
challenges associated with balancing commercial interests with user protection and ethical standards.

Darvish and Husain (2018) address the critical issue of security in mobile money applications,
emphasizing the growing importance of these applications in facilitating financial transactions and the
corresponding concerns regarding security vulnerabilities. Mobile money applications offer users the
convenience of transferring funds between bank accounts or cards using smartphones, encompassing
both mobile banking and mobile payment services. However, despite their popularity and convenience,
user adoption of these applications is hindered by concerns about the security of the services. The
authors highlight the inherent risks associated with granting access to sensitive financial information,
such as debit/credit cards or bank accounts, through mobile money applications. These risks include
identity theft, fraudulent transactions, and financial losses, underscoring the need for robust security
measures to protect users' sensitive data.
Darvish and Husain (2018) conducted an intensive security analysis of a selection of mobile banking and
payment applications on the Android platform, revealing that a significant portion of these applications
(80%) failed to adhere to best security practices. This finding underscores the urgent need for
improvements in the security posture of mobile money applications to safeguard users' financial
information and restore confidence in the services. Furthermore, the authors provide a comprehensive
guide for conducting security testing on Android applications, offering a valuable resource for
developers, ethical hackers, and security professionals to assess and enhance the security of mobile
applications. By delineating step-by-step procedures for security testing, Darvish and Husain (2018) aim
to empower stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify and mitigate security
vulnerabilities in Android applications.

This research contributes to the existing literature on mobile application security by providing
empirical evidence of security shortcomings in mobile money applications and offering practical
guidance for improving security practices. The findings underscore the importance of prioritizing security
in the design, development, and deployment of mobile money applications to protect users' financial
assets and promote trust in digital financial services.

The synthesis of the related literature review reveals a common thread emphasizing the
paramount importance of security and integrity in digital financial services, particularly in the
context of mobile applications. Studies highlight the prevalence of security vulnerabilities in
various mobile money applications, including concerns about identity theft, fraudulent
transactions, and inadequate security measures. Furthermore, research underscores the
persuasive power of digital platforms, such as YouTube, in promoting financial products and
services, potentially exposing users to fraudulent schemes. These findings underscore the critical
need for robust security measures and regulatory oversight to safeguard users' financial assets
and promote trust in digital financial services. In the context of the present study on the effect of
money-making application usage on the allowance of grade 12 students, these insights
highlight the significance of understanding the potential risks associated with financial apps and
the importance of promoting financial literacy and responsible usage among adolescents. By
elucidating the implications of digital financial services and the associated security challenges,
this research aims to inform policy interventions and educational initiatives to empower
adolescents in making informed decisions about their financial behavior in an increasingly
digitalized world.

References

Hu, Y., Wang, H., Li, L., Guo, Y., Xu, G., & He, R. (2019). Want to Earn a Few Extra Bucks? A First
Look at Money-Making Apps. Retrieved from

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8668035

Nasir, N., Iqbal, F., Zaheer, M., Shahjahan, M., & Javed, M. (2022). Lures for Money: A First Look into
YouTube Videos Promoting Money-Making Apps. *ACM*. DOI: 10.1145/3488932.3517404. Retrieved
from https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3488932.3517404

Darvish, H., & Husain, M. (2018). Security Analysis of Mobile Money Applications on Android.

Retrieved from https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8622115