A recent news has shaken many users of smartphones with Android operating system. ESET, a cybersecurity company, has identified a malware-laden app available for download from the Google Play Store.
malware are malicious software, created to damage the devices on which they are installed. Popularly, they are known as viruses.
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After all, what is the contaminated application?
The application in question is called iRecorder – Screen Recorder. It was discovered that he would be able to record audio from the device's microphone, including calls, which poses a significant risk to the privacy of those involved.
Furthermore, ESET researchers highlighted that it is also able to collect sensitive data directly from the device. Currently, the application has more than 50,000 downloads on the platform and a rating of 3.6/5, attributed by the users themselves.
Main risks involved
An infected app can pose several dangers to your smartphone. The most obvious ones are: data theft, card cloning, improper access to bank accounts, application of scams, among others.
Also according to ESET, the data collected by the app was sent to the attacker's command and control server, leaving users vulnerable to various forms of exploitation.
In view of the number of downloads of the app on the Google Play Store, there is a warning for the more than 50,000 users who have downloaded the malware since its launch in 2021.
How to avoid this kind of problem?
To protect against this type of threat, it is recommended that users have a antivirus and be careful with the apps you install. As for iRecorder, if it is on your device, it is important to delete it to avoid privacy issues.
It is important to note that the virus was probably introduced in a later application update, specifically in version 1.3.8, released in August 2022. That is, it was not present from the beginning, but everyone who downloaded after that date or updated to the new version was exposed.
This discovery revives the discussion about the role of official app stores in preventing this type of occurrence. After all, many believe that it is Google's responsibility to enforce stricter enforcement in order to prevent infected apps from being made available to the public.
