If you use Android, Google has an urgent new alert for you
One of the unfortunate realities of technology is that just as it makes our lives more efficient and convenient, it can also make us more vulnerable as we become more dependent on it. The seemingly never-ending cybersecurity threats targeted at smartphones are just one example of this problem, thanks to how much we rely on them to do everything from online banking to making important purchases. And if you’re one of the millions of people who use Android phones, you might want to be aware of the latest warning that’s been released recently. Read on to see which security concerns currently threaten popular devices.
Read this next: If you have Android, you’ll be blocked from doing so from August.
Shutterstock
Even though it may seem that Apple has cornered the market on mobile devices, the reality is that Android constitutes a much larger part than many may realize. According to Statista, products manufactured by Google make up 70 percent of the worldwide market share, compared to 25 percent of Apple’s iOS as of January 2022. Unfortunately, this popularity makes them an attractive target for cybercriminals who want to take advantage of certain security lapses or advance nefarious software.
Recently, financial cybersecurity firm ThreatFabric announced in a blog post that it had discovered a new version of an infamous piece of Android-targeting malware known as “Octo”. The company warned that once users accidentally download the program, it can essentially take over the device and use it to commit fraud and mine sensitive information while running covertly in the background. can do for And on March 25, Google announced that it had banned dozens of apps from its Google Play market, after a private investigation revealed that a company involved in their development used them to collect and transmit data on those users. designed for those who downloaded them, wall street journal informed of.
RafaPress/Shutterstock
Unfortunately, the security threats haven’t stopped for Android users. In a post on May 6, cyber security firm Kaspersky announced that it had discovered three apps in the Google Play store that contained Trojan-style hacker software known as “Jokers.” While Google has previously banned any app containing the code, the firm warned that the program could get around the security measures set up by the tech giant to catch malware, sun Report.
According to Kaspersky’s investigation, the three nefarious apps they discovered are called Blood Pressure App, Camera PDF Scanner, and Style Messages. However, scammers have previously copied other popular apps and brands to lure victims, with dupes of games such as Minecraft, GTA5, Vidmate, and GameBeyond being found to possess the software.
RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Shutterstock
Kaspersky explains that malware can pose a potential financial threat once it finds its way onto a device, which scammers often obtain by downloading well-known apps, adding malicious code, and posting the backed-up version to the Google Play store. Huh. The program will then request access to read the text messages, which it uses to steal the confirmation code and secretly sign the victim up for an expensive subscription through other apps, sun reports.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
“Most apps completely lack any legitimate functionality,” the cybersecurity firm explains. “They start subscribing directly after launch, while the user sees the loading window.”
From there, users may not even notice charges as they come in over time. “They usually pay for legitimate services in the user’s name and the scammers take a deduction from the billed money. These types of subscription fees are blown from the phone’s balance,” the firm writes.
PR Image Factory / Shutterstock
Fortunately, there are some relatively simple ways to avoid falling victim to the latest cybersecurity threat. Even though Kaspersky recommends only downloading apps from a trusted source, it’s important to exercise caution when using official marketplaces like Google Play. “Read the review, read up on the developer, [and] Terms of Use and Payment,” he suggests.
It’s also necessary to control how you associate with programs after you’ve downloaded them. The cybersecurity firm cautions, “Even if you trust an app, you should avoid giving it too many permissions.” “Allow access to notifications only for apps that need it to serve their intended purposes – for example, to transfer notifications to wearable devices. For something like themed wallpapers or photo editing Apps do not require access to your notifications.”
Read this further: Microsoft has just issued this important warning for all Windows users.
