There is another malware outbreak that is currently
affecting more than 21.1Million Android devices right now and it’s important to
take precautions if you’ve not been affected.
affecting more than 21.1Million Android devices right now and it’s important to
take precautions if you’ve not been affected.
Researchers at Check point
have uncovered malware dubbed ‘ExpensiveWall’ and have affected at least 50 apps on Google Play, which were
downloaded between 1 million and 4.2 million times before they were removed.
have uncovered malware dubbed ‘ExpensiveWall’ and have affected at least 50 apps on Google Play, which were
downloaded between 1 million and 4.2 million times before they were removed.
|
| Lovely wall paper – one of the infected app |
The ExpensiveWall malware
was “packed” inside wallpaper apps, which allowed it to escape Google Play’s
built-in anti-malware protections.
was “packed” inside wallpaper apps, which allowed it to escape Google Play’s
built-in anti-malware protections.
How Does it work?
The ExpensiveWall malware
packed inside an android apps, will ask users for permissions, such as SMS and internet access. If granted, the
malware will start sending premium SMS messages and register users for other
paid services that don’t exist without the user’s knowledge.
packed inside an android apps, will ask users for permissions, such as SMS and internet access. If granted, the
malware will start sending premium SMS messages and register users for other
paid services that don’t exist without the user’s knowledge.
Though granting apps permissions are normal but absolutely
abnormal for a wall paper to be asking users for permission for sms or internet
access.
abnormal for a wall paper to be asking users for permission for sms or internet
access.
How to Avoid Being Infected
Don’t download questionable apps or apps you don’t trust on
Google play or outside Google play. Donwload only trusted apps or premium apps.
Google play or outside Google play. Donwload only trusted apps or premium apps.
what's their gain?
Pain of affected users
Thanks for the tips. May thunder fire d originator of the malware
Thanks for the caution
We all need to be careful and security conscious
That's very bad. Most wallpapers requires internet to load but asking for sms permission is not normal. I think the best thing to do is to get a good Antivirus installed. It will scan anything u download
Abeg let Google fix their security because we are made to believe play store is the safest place for apps download that is the default Android settings does not allow apps not from play store.
Thanks for this info
Thanks prof and hope they fix the bug.
are Google aware of this at all
Google are too careless with how they respond to playstore issues imagine many useless app in playstore on installation asking for permissions that not worth it and nothing will b done.
Thanks for keeping us posted.