[ad_1]
There are many apps available for Android users on the Google Play store. It is always convenient to download apps from the store without having to search for them elsewhere. However, often there are unknown threats that you are not aware of while downloading apps. There are many Android apps available but some of them are malicious for your device and your Smartphone. There are apps designed to steal your personal data, prompt you to sign up to avail premium SMS pack and push malicious links via advertisements. You need to be aware about these apps as once these are downloaded as wreak havoc by stealing all the data without your knowledge. Legit agencies are monitoring apps on Google Play and apps made by third party.
If in any case you receive any such alerts then you need to immediately uninstall it from your device. Here is a list that will help you recognize fake apps that deploy malware on your Android device or Android Smartphone.
Fake Installer
It has been reported by an online monitoring agency about fake Google Play installer that is available on a third-party website. Even the domain name has Google in it so as to dupe the user into believing that the URL is authentic. However, the app is targeting Russian and European users currently but this does not mean that you are safe. The malware is a part of Android.fakeinstaller and BadBadPiggies that are supposed to be deluding users into downloading their apps.
When you download this app, you will see the progress bar that is also fake. In the background, this app begins sending premium rate messages. Statistics such as mobile device identifiers is sent to Google account.
Fake Music app
While searching for music apps you obviously select the ones that are most popular. These might turn out to be fictitious. Zoukomobile Top Music app is one such app that is actually a fake app. This app is available on the platform of a third-party app provider. This app provides you streaming links to popular artists and songs. However, as soon as you start streaming songs through this app you will be unknowingly charged $4/week. You will be automatically subscribing to SMS subscription that is based in Malaysia.
If you carefully go through the terms and conditions of this app then you will observe a clause related fee payment. It is mentioned that a user downloading this app will have to pay the said amount of fee for streaming music. This app is malware as you will be charged an absurd amount for music streaming and will be added to the subscription list of a SMS service.
Cloaked Malware
Android.OpFake is a malware that is cloaked under the Fake Tank. Fake Tank is distributed by third-party software provider. A cloaked malware is disguised under an app that is meant to creep into your device without your knowledge. You will install the app under the impression of a genuine app while it acts like a Trojan horse to sneak into your device.
When you attempt to download it, you will get a form that will redirect you to another website. You will land there via service page terms. You will be provided assurance that this service will help you opt for premium SMS subscription while on the background, the app would have already started sending expensive messages.
Fake Funny App
Often for entertainment sake or for playing pranks you download apps that are funny like the Fart Sounds app. Fart Sounds Machine (Version 2.2|10) is available on Google Play. This app seems to be so authentic that it has a five star rating for duping users. It is said to have been downloaded at least 500,000 million times by users world over. As soon as you download this app, the id of your device is uploaded to networks like AirPush and static.leadbolt.net. AirPush is known for aggressive ad network that will push ads to your device. All the ads will start appearing in the notification bar and the Home Screen will be filled up with advertisement icons.
In theory, a malware is not restricted to a specific platform or a device. Even if you are a BlackBerry, Symbian or iOS device user you might still be under threat.
[ad_2]
Source by Semeli Karen McPherson
No comment