It is a clone of Google Chrome capable of accessing personal content.
Hackers are always lurking and always ready to devise new strategies to steal people’s personal data. One of the most used techniques is putting apps online containing malware inside them capable of accessing personal content.
The authors of these scam attempts act in a fairly predictable way, embedding malicious code within generic apps often created specifically for the purpose. These apps typically don’t pass mobile malware scanning and are quickly reported. But there are exceptions.
The latest report concerns a Google Chrome clone that is circulating on the internet causing quite a bit of damage. This was reported by the experts at AG Data who report that a clone version of Google Chrome for Android is circulating on the web. The interface that appears is identical to that of the famous browser except that once this app is installed, it obtains permission to access calls and read text messages. All collected data is then sent to servers located in Russia.
At the same time, the app maintains the same functionality as the original. You can easily surf the internet but in the meantime, you receive strange notifications about tips on how to win the lottery. To collect the offered amount of money, you just need to provide your phone number and payment details. The rule to be respected, however, is to keep the application installed on the phone. The telephone number and the details for receiving payments, if entered, will end up in the hands of hackers with all the fraudulent uses they could make of them.
The Chrome clone app would be able to steal sensitive data but also bypass two-factor verification if we have it enabled.
At the moment the attack only affects mobile phones located in Russia but according to AG Data experts, they believe it is likely that the malware campaign will take a global turn. As with Google Chrome, other clones of other famous apps could appear online, all containing malware capable of stealing sensitive data from mobile phones and spying on us.
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What do I risk if I buy on Temu?
How do we understand if the app we have installed is the original one?
The first alarm bell is the spam notifications relating to some winnings. If we receive several, then it is likely that they come from a clone app.
If you suspect that a malware app is running in the background on your phone, you should uninstall all apps that you have installed in the last few days. The recommendation is always to install apps from official portals such as App Store for Google Play. There is the certainty that the apps are safe. You should also avoid deactivating the setting on your Android phone that prohibits installing apps from unknown sources. Another important aspect is to avoid entering sensitive data on apps from unknown sources.
The latest scam that is becoming popular on Whatsapp
But not just Google Chrome clone. Lately, a new scam attempt has been circulating on WhatsApp that tries to steal the profile. We receive a message from a known sender because he is present in the address book and asks us to indicate a code that will arrive on our mobile phone. Even the sender’s cell phone is now under the control of hackers who contact other people in the address book in a chain mechanism.
You should never give the code to these people because, within a few minutes, you will find yourself out of your WhatsApp profile. What you are about to give is the authorization to change the phone number of your profile. Once you change your phone number, you can no longer have access to your WhatsApp profile permanently. Hackers will then be free to change the photo, name, and surname by using the profile fraudulently.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-05-29 20:07:47. Original title: Questa app invia tutti i tuoi dati in Russia, cancellala subito
