Android antivirus apps claim to protect your mobile device, but we found a ton of security holes and privacy risks -- one of them even exposes your address book.
Out of 21 'free" Android antivirus apps that were tested by security researchers, eight failed to detect a test virus. All of them asked for dangerous permissions or contained advertising trackers, with seven being more risky than the average of the 100 most popular Android apps.
We invite you to visit our website in order to learn more about how to protect your privacy : https://www.digitalbank.capital/
Hundreds of malicious apps are showing up on the Google Play Store, disguised as legitimate applications.
Hundreds of malicious apps are showing up on the Google Play Store, disguised as legitimate applications. These malicious apps are carrying malware known as Dresscode. Dresscode is designed to infiltrate networks and steal data. It can also add infected devices to a Botnet, which is capable of carrying out denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks as well as taking part in spam email campaigns.
Dresscode can also threaten home networks. If a device infected with Dresscode comes in contact with a network where the router has a weak password, it can crack the password and then infect other devices on the network, including IoT connected home devices.
Virus scanner -- or malware? Beware app store fakes?
Scammers are taking advantage of unsuspecting folks like you who just want to keep their phones virus-free.
In the wake of WannaCry, 27 different apps materialized promising to protect your phone from the global ransomware attack.
But wait: WannaCry, which ensnared more than 200,000 computers around the world, doesn't target phones. It used an exploit, discovered by the National Security Agency and leaked by hackers, that targeted outdated Windows systems.
Perhaps more alarming was that these apps were filled with malware -- executing the very attacks these apps promised to protect against. First discovered by McAfee in late May, the flood of fake WannaCry protection apps points to a growing trend of viruses masquerading as antivirus apps.
RiskIQ, a cybersecurity firm, found seven apps related to WannaCry in the Google Play store and two in Apple's App Store that demanded excessive permissions such as knowing your phone's wake password. One of the phony WannaCry apps is actually blacklisted by RiskIQ's standards because of the red flags it raised.
Researchers found hundreds of fraudulent antivirus apps on the market -- fakes packed with adware, Trojans, and sources of malware.
"There have been a recent rise in fake WannaCry 'protectors,' apps that use fear and hysteria around the self-propagating ransomware to drive downloads, even though mobile systems are safe from its impact," a RiskIQ spokeswoman said.
It's another unsettling discovery among the many cyber threats now hanging over our heads. With seemingly everyone and everything connected over the internet, we're all just one bad download or weak password away from a bad situation. In recent months alone, besides WannaCry, we've had to worry about malware in movie subtitles, Word docs, and flash drives; breaches to a widely used password manager; and threats to the power grids make modern digital life possible.
Danger by the numbers
In this latest worrisome episode, out of 4,292 active antivirus apps, 525 set off malware alarms for RiskIQ. That means that more than one in 10 antivirus apps are traps waiting to push malware on your phone.
Of those 525 virus protectors that triggered blacklist hits, 55 were in the Google Play store, researchers said, and the remainder from third-party app stores. RiskIQ looked through 189 different app stores to find fake antiviruses.
"Google Play is one of the most reputable app stores in the world, so the fact that so many resides there shows the dangers facing mobile app consumers," said Forrest Gueterman, a security analyst for RiskIQ.
Google didn't respond to requests for comment.
RiskIQ said that with, for example, the "Androids Antivirus" app in the Mobiles24 app store, it discovered five different variants of malware written into its code, with fake alerts, Trojans, and attacks on the Android operating system. It had been downloaded more than 3,500 times.
"Antivirus Malware Trojan" had more than 10,000 downloads before the Play Store removed it, Gueterman said.
On Saturday, a Medium post by app developer Johnny Lin detailed how scammers made $80,000 a month through a fake iOS app called "Mobile protection: Clean & Security VPN." It rose to the top 10 grossing productivity app before it was removed from the app store.
The phony app would scan your device's contacts and tell you your iPhone was at risk because it did not have a "Secure Internet." After installing it, Lin said, his phone displayed pop-ups for a bubble shooter game and a free antivirus trial, except that it was $99.99 for a seven-day subscription.
"I was one Touch ID away from a $400 A MONTH subscription to reroute all my internet traffic to a scammer," Lin wrote. It received more than 50,000 downloads before the app was taken down.
These apps are taking advantage of Apple's relatively new search ad functions, which has no filtering or approval process for ads, he said.
RiskIQ recommends giving all apps a careful read before downloading. The majority of fraud apps are "riddled with grammatical errors," the company said. They were rife throughout the phony iOS app that Lin discovered.
The free trial read, "ANTIVIRUS: Instantly use full of smart anti-virus."
Not so smart after all.
Personal Anti Espionage Communication Systems for
CEOs, VIPs, Celebs & Business Oligarchs.
The "Encrygma"
€ 18,000
SuperEncrypted Phone
The Most Advanced Quantum Encrypted Communication System in the World.
Disruptive Offline Communication Tech
(No Internet or Cellular Connection)
Without any Servers involvement
Based on the Secret Tech "White Fog"
No data ever registered on the device or elsewhere.
Immune to:
Interception
Cyber Espionage
Remote Hacking
Spyware Infection
Malware Infection
Forensic Data Extraction
Ransomware attacks
Electronic Surveillance
You have two options , either you can buy the “Encrygma “ SuperEncrypted Phone , full details : www.Encrygma.com, at € 18,000 Euros per device or create your own encryption device by installing our SuperEncryption systems on regular Android and Windows devices at € 5000 Euros per license.
DigitalBank Vault advantages Vs. SKY ECC, BlackBerry, Phantom Secure, Encrochat
and other 'secure communication devices'
1. One-lifetime fee of € 5000 Euro.
No annual subscription fees.
2. Encryption Keys generated by the user only.
Encryption Keys never stored in the device used or anywhere else.
Encryption Keys never exchanged with the communicating parties.
3. No SIM Card needed.
4. Unlimited text messaging, audio and video messaging,
audio calls, file transfers, file storage.
5. "Air-Gapped" Offline Encryption System not connected to the Internet.
6. No Servers involved at any given time, completely autonomous system.
No third parties involved.
7. No registration of any kind - 100% anonymous without username/password.
No online Platform or Interfaces.
8. Unique, Personal, Dedicated Set of
Encryption Algorithms for each individual client.
Totally Private Encryption System.
9. Air Gap Defense Technology:
The Only Offline Communication System in the World.
10. Working cross-platform on Android Smartphones ( No SIM Cards Needed)
and Windows PC ( for office work)
Contact us
for additional information at agents@digitalbankvault.com
Telegram: @timothyweiss WhatsApp: +37257347873 You can buy any Android device and Windows laptops and transform them into a powerful encryption device by installing our set of software. The process is simple , you buy your own phones and laptops devices , choose your most trusted company ( we always advise Samsung phones and Asus laptops , then you buy from us the DigitalBank Vault SuperEncryption System and install it on the devices you bought. If you need the encryption system just for storing and transferring classified files and data, you may need just one license ( it will work for four on both Windows and Androids). If you need to communicate between two people, you will of course need to buy two licenses. If your network of people you need to communicate with is larger , you will have to buy more licenses of course. Each client is receiving a dedicated set of encrypted algorithms that means that each company (client) has a different encryption system, therefore creating a closed private internal network. Each license costs € 5000 Euros. No recurring payments are required. It’s a one-time fee. No monthly payments. Remember that our mission is to help companies achieve total, absolute secrecy over their sensitive data storage, critical file transfers and securing their confidential communications. Feel free to contact us. For more in depth information we can have a voice call or video meeting. Our SuperEncryption systems are needed in case you really need the highest level of secrecy. Our technology is above Governments level , it’s the highest level of anti interception/ anti espionage tech available to the private sector. We sell only and exclusively to reputable companies and individuals that pass our due diligence and KYC procedures. Try for 30 days ( free of charge) the DigitalBank Vault SuperEncryption System. Transform any Android device or Windows Laptop into an Unbreakable Encryption Machine
More information? Visit our website at www.DigitalBankVault.com or email us at info@digitalbankvault.com. We will be happy to assist you in achieving total secrecy over your communications.
How to buy a DigitalBank Vault SuperEncryption system? https://www.digitalbankvault.com/order-the-digitalbank-vault
More details?
Why the DBV SuperEncryption system is safer than any other solution available in the market?
How does the DigitalBank Vault SuperEncryption technology work?
Comments