technology
Tech experts have warned smartphone users to delete 17 popular financial apps found to be infected with malware.
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Here’s how to avoid app crisis:
Tech experts have warned smartphone users to delete 17 popular financial apps found to be infected with malware. These digital he Trojans can steal sensitive data such as financial information from your mobile phone.
These problematic apps, known as SpyLoan apps, are rampant on Google’s Play Store, and some have even been found on Apple’s App Store, Forbes reported last month.
“From the beginning of 2023, [our] “Researchers have observed an alarming increase in deceptive Android loan apps,” wrote Lukas Stefanko of cybersecurity firm ESET in a post.
He said these insidious apps can also be found on fraudulent websites and third-party app stores, “masquerading as legitimate personal loan services and promising quick and easy access to funds.” explained.
But once downloaded, the digital wolf in sheep’s clothing installs sophisticated malware that can “extract a wide range of personal information from unsuspecting users,” ESET says.
Frequently hijacked data includes everything from account details to contact lists and even SMS texts.
ESET then alerted Google to the presence of 18 such apps in the Play Store, but all but one were removed as they were no longer considered SpyLoan apps.
ESET said these apps collectively generated more than 12 million downloads from Google Play before being removed.
The 17 apps are:
Users who discover these apps on their phones should immediately remove them before changing their device, financial account, or Wi-Fi passwords.
You should also pay attention to symptoms of a potential malware infection, such as suspicious emails or alerts.
In the meantime, smartphone users should take other protective measures against the risk of contracting malware, such as installing antivirus software, keeping their phones updated, and avoiding downloading apps from third-party sources. must be taken.
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