Malware, phishing and adware apps available on the Google Play Store have recently been identified. Some, disguised as essential services like Bluetooth or sound equalizer, contain more than a million downloads. The damage caused can be diverse. Follow the article and find out which apps can harm your cell phone.
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Cybersecurity is key to identifying malicious apps
Investment in cybersecurity must be frequent to identify malware apps available in app stores. The discovery of malicious apps on Android, made by Dr. Web is an example of this.
According to Web, cybercrime experts use the apps as an ad platform for malicious websites, in which “Firebase Cloud Messaging” commands are performed to steal personal information and other sensitive data.
TubeBox is malicious and dangerous, but it is successful because it promises money to users
Among the apps available on the Play Store and considered malicious is Tubebox, which is still active for download on the Google Play Store.
Tubebox's premise is why it's popular: it promises to offer users money as a reward for consuming videos and ads.
When paying users for videos watched, the application does not transfer the values, because it alleges a system error.
As the business is to keep users logged in to steal the data, they tell people to keep watching the advertisements to receive the reward when the alleged problem is fixed.
Check out other apps with malware discovered on the Google Play Store
Other applications identified by Dr. Web as malicious in the App Store have already been excluded by the platform. But if they are still on your phone, delete them right now:
- bluetooth device autoconnect (bt autoconnect group);
- Bluetooth & Wi-Fi & USB driver (simple things for everyone);
- Fast Cleaner & Cooling Master (bt autoconnect group);
- Volume, Music Equalizer (Hippo VPN LLC).
In the search, other apps were also identified that presented themselves as belonging to financial institutions, such as banks and other investment groups in Russia.
When downloading the app, users were led to register accounts and direct you to other apps, which have the sole purpose of stealing your personal information.