Not every app that appears to be useful is really designed for the purpose which it describes.
In recent times, hackers have devised another clever means to inject malware infested apps into the google play store to steal your personnal information.
What are Andriod Malwares?
Android malware is like a bad virus that can infect phones and tablets that use the Android operating system. It can make the device act strange or slow, or it can steal personal information from the user. Just like how you can get sick from germs, a device can get sick from malware. It’s important to keep your device safe by only downloading apps from trusted sources and keeping your device’s software up to date.
The Kaspersky Security Services conducted a research on how hackers have found a way to sneak malware-infested software onto the Google Play Store by hiding malicious apps within real apps.
These “dropper apps” quietly slip through the Play Store’s review process, receive updates straight from hacker-controlled servers, and only transform into their evil forms after gaining a large number of users.
The extra permissions granted to these apps allow hackers to carry out their schemes without detection. Even worse, these apps can detect if they are being analyzed and halt their activities to foil security researchers’ attempts.
Google Play has policies in place to keep users safe, but hackers are finding new ways to infiltrate the system. Users should stay vigilant, avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources, scrutinize app permissions, use security software, and enable two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
“DON’T GRANT THEM ACCESS TO STEAL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION”
How to protect yourself from these hackers:
- Scrutinize before downloading apps in these categories: financial apps, cryptocurrency trackers, dating apps, and Qr-code scanners that looks suspicious even though they are being advertised. Go to play store and read the reviews of the apps before downloading.
- Do not enable the installation of unknown apps. If some app urges you to do it, it is most likely infected. If it is possible, uninstall the app, and scan the device with an antivirus.
- Review the app permission: Before installinng ann app, ensure you understand the app’s permission request before granting it.
A video editing app do not need to be granted access to your contacts. Apps that ask unnecessary permisions, such as access to your location, contacts, or camera and app usuage activities when it’s not required should be immediately deleted. - Update your operating system and important apps as soon as updates become available.
- Enable two factor authentication to secure your google account and other critical accounts connected to your device. This will prevent unauthorized access.
- To avoid phishing, avoid clicking on suspicious links from emails and text messages or downloading videos,apps, audios and pdfs from unknown sources.
- Be cautious of public Wi-Fi networks, as these can be used by hackers to intercept your internet traffic and steal sensitive information. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your traffic and protect your privacy.
