New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- Not every app you install on your smartphone brings the benefits you might expect. In fact, some can quietly put your privacy and security at risk by collecting your personal information or by asking for more permissions than they need, certain apps deserve a closer look. Here are the most problematic types of apps found on many devices.

Using a virtual private network can seem like the perfect way to protect your online privacy. But many free VPN apps come with trade-offs you might not expect. They need a way to make money and it's not unusual for them to log your browsing history or track your Internet activity. That data can then be sold to advertisers or other outside parties. Instead of keeping your information...