14 DAY TRIAL // The Google Play Store is currently filling up with quite a few apps promising to protect users from the WannaCry ransomware, despite there being no way for the infection to spread to Android devices.
Now that the WannaCry spread has stabilized, it seems that people are trying to capitalize on it in some way or another. The ransomware spread to 150 countries, affecting around 300,000 computers, none of which were smartphones because the malware takes advantage of a Windows vulnerability. This means there's no way for it to spread to Android devices.
Some developers are looking to take advantage of the panic created by the WannaCry rapid spread and created fake apps promising to protect users from the cyber attack.
While some of the apps that turn up when you search for "wannacry" on Google Play are meant to prank people, others allegedly want to help people out with tips and tricks.
Researchers from McAfee looked into one of the apps - WannaCry Ransomware Protection Antivirus. Not only does it have no value whatsoever but it offers fake features and tricks users into downloading a second app that's full of ads. The features this app promises actually come from a repackaged malware scanner.
No additional threats
That being said, McAfee says it did not find any malware in these apps, just lies. Oftentimes, when a topic reaches the magnitude of WannaCry's global spread, cybercriminals take advantage of it and try to distribute malware on official app markets, as was the case with Pokemon Go or Mario Run a few months back.
You should just keep in mind that, in the case of WannaCry, infections cannot spread to Android devices in the first place. Then, you should check the developer, read app reviews and make sure you actually need whatever it is you want to download. It's also a good measure to install a security solution on your mobile device too.
There are plenty of mobile ransomware out there, but WannaCry just isn't one of them.