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Urgent warning to smartphone users as cyber threats skyrocket


SMARTPHONE users are being urged to be app-rehensive amid a rise in dodgy apps.

According to cyber experts ESET, the number of Android threats soared by 57 per cent in the last few months of 2022.

Smartphone users are being urged to be apprehensive of dodgy apps on the riseCredit: Getty Images – Getty

This surge was driven by a 163 per cent increase in adware (the pop-up ads that are the bane of many user’s lives) and a growth of 83 per cent in “hidden app” detections.

Often bogus apps look just like the real thing.

Many people will only realise they’ve downloaded suspicious software when they’re hit with a charge they don’t recognise or see their battery drain for no reason.

However, experts from ESET, the internet security specialists, say that people can avoid downloading fake apps by doing some important checks before they hit download.

To keep your device safe, follow these seven tips for recognising a potential problem.

CHECK THE NUMBERS

Say you’re looking for what you would reasonably expect to be an app with hundreds of millions of users but only come across an app that, while sounding like the real thing, hasn’t racked up anywhere near as many downloads.

If that’s the case, the chances are high you’re dealing with an imposter app.

READ THE REVIEWS

If an app is rated poorly, you should probably give it a pass.

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On the other hand, tons of glowing reviews that all sound almost the same should also raise eyebrows.

This is especially the case with apps that have not been downloaded millions of times — many of those recommendations may be the work of fake reviewers or even bots.

CHECK THE VISUALS

Something about the app’s colour or the logo used doesn’t feel right . . .

If you’re in doubt, compare the visuals to those on the website of the service provider.

Malicious apps often mimic their legitimate counterparts and use similar, but not necessarily identical, logos.

Keep your eyes peeled for key details — a closer look, including at the URLs, often reveals some giveaways.

DOUBLE-CHECK ‘OFFICIAL APP’ CLAIMS

In one case documented by ESET research last year, cybercriminals distributed apps for online stores and…

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Mobile Malware Attacks Skyrocket During Pandemic


The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has created plenty of opportunities for hackers.

Mobile malware soared to record-high numbers last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown, according to McAfee’s Advanced Threat Research (ATR) team.

McAfee’s 2021 Mobile Threat Report found hackers are using fake apps, trojans and fraudulent messages to target consumers. At the end of 2020, total mobile malware detected by McAfee reached 43 million. And over 3 million of these detections were new.

Over the past year, the vaccine rollout has advanced at different rates across the globe. That has provided plenty of opportunities for hackers. They’re hiding malware and malicious links inside fake vaccination appointments and registration display ads. These have the potential to download malware onto a person’s device that displays unwanted ads. They can also activate accessibility features to give the hacker full device control. The hackers’ goal is stealing banking details and credentials.

According to the McAfee research, some of these campaigns started as early as last November before any vaccines had officially been approved. Others continue to appear as countries roll out their vaccination programs.

Hackers Succeeding

Raj Samani is McAfee fellow and chief scientist.

McAfee's Raj Samani

McAfee’s Raj Samani

“Hackers are often extremely successful,” he said. “Over the last year especially, they were able to prey upon fear, which often leaves people vulnerable to making hasty, uninformed decisions, to prompt consumers into accidentally clicking on malicious links or downloading malware. This is particularly true regarding the influx of COVID-related attacks.”

Another key finding is billing fraud malware that makes purchases behind the backs of consumers. Moreover, hackers are using banking trojans to target hundreds of financial institutions globally.

Most banking trojans are distributed via phishing and text messages to avoid Google’s screening process. One banking trojan repeatedly got onto the Google Play store. As a result, it tricked thousands of users into downloads.

“While COVID-19 related attacks should taper off with the new normal, many consumers still intend to…

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