In the past, camouflaged malware programs were available for download from the Google Play Store.
The new malware affects Android users who communicate via WhatsApp
Munich - When a short message becomes a security risk for your own data ... An application has found its way into Google's Play Store, the only task of which is to load malware onto the user's cell phone.
Security researchers from
Checkpoint Research
reported the "FlixOnline" app last Wednesday.
Disguised as a harmless application, the app responds to incoming WhatsApp messages - and thus spreads malware.
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WhatsApp hit by malware - security experts surprised
The “new and innovative” malware continues to reproduce itself, as the experts at
Checkpoint Research
note.
But why should you download the application onto your mobile phone?
The fake app advertised that it could access content from the popular streaming provider Netflix worldwide.
A pretext to get Android users to download the malware.
Particularly bold: the malware app used the official logo of the streaming provider.
But in reality, the app monitors the WhatsApp * user's chat history and sends automated replies to messages that reach the user.
A “unique” scam for spreading malware, as the security experts at
Checkpoint Research
recognize.
With the help of certain software, the app sends a link to the sender of the WhatsApp message, who is supposed to lure potential victims with a Netflix offer.
The spread of false reports, threats or sensitive data is
possible through this scam
, according to
Checkpoint Research
.
Google Play Store: Dangerous fake app was available for two months
As the security experts at
Checkpoint Research
write, the fake app was released for download in the Google Play store for two months before it was blocked.
Not Google, but Checkpoint Research noticed the scam application.
By then, around 500 users had downloaded the malware app onto their mobile phones, notes
Checkpoint Research
.
If Android users have downloaded the "FlixOnline" app, the technology experts recommend deleting the application immediately.
Passwords should also be changed.
(
jjf
)
