14 DAY TRIAL // Hidden mobile apps are slowly becoming hackers’ favorite method to go after Android users, with a report from McAfee revealing a growing increase in the number of such attacks recorded in 2019.
More specifically, hidden mobile apps account for nearly 50 percent of all malicious threats in 2019, a growth of no less than 30 percent from the previous year.
The security company explains that cybercriminals often abuse the accessibility features of Android devices for their malicious purposes, including to create accounts and post reviews using the victim’s credentials.
This method is used by a malware known as LeifAccess or Shopper, which is typically distributed on social media and gamer chat apps.
Check twice before downloading apps
And speaking of gaming chats, McAfee explains this is also a growing trend, as more and more cybercriminals use such services to look for new victims.
“Hackers are taking advantage of the popularity of gaming by distributing their malicious apps via links in popular gamer chat apps and cheat videos by creating their own content containing links to fake apps. These apps masquerade as genuine with icons that closely mimic those of the real apps but serve unwanted ads and collect user data,” the security company says.
“McAfee researchers uncovered that popular apps like FaceApp, Spotify, and Call of Duty all have fake versions trying to prey on unsuspecting consumers, especially younger users.”
One of the easiest ways to remain secure is to only download apps from trusted sources, and of course, to always check for more information before installing something you don’t know.
In the Google Play Store, for example, the reviews section is one valuable source of information, as the messages posted by other users could help you determine if an app is dangerous or not even before downloading it on a new Android device.