Android users be warned – hackers can clone your bank card
News24 has recently reported a serious security threat in Android phones that hides in common apps.
The threat is designed to surreptitiously read your bank card and then send the information to fraudsters who can use it to make online purchases or withdraw money.
READ MORE: Android users be warned – hackers can clone your bank card
Now another security threat of a similar nature has been found in Android phones.
Photo: UnsplashHiding in “trusted” apps
Researcher at the security firm McAfee has discovered a new type of malware called SpyAgent in Android phones.
The software hides in what at first glance look like trusted apps, including banking and streaming services.
When you download one of the apps in question, it secretly collects information from your messages, contacts and photos. To accomplish that, it distracts you in the meantime with slow loading pages, white screens, and unexpected redirects.
DON’T MISS: New changes in your phone – the expert: How you are affected
280 malicious apps detected
McAfee states that they have identified a total of 280 apps that have the dangerous software embedded. The apps have been actively attacking Android devices since the beginning of the year.
SpyAgent’s ultimate goal is to access and raid users’ crypto wallets, which it accomplishes by scanning photos in photo albums.
The apps are not available in the Google Play Store, instead they are marketed via deceptive text messages urging users to download them.
Photo: Unsplash
READ MORE: It happens when your Facebook account is hacked: “Your friends…”
Android users warned about 5 apps – contain notorious virus
Right now, the attacks are only targeting Korean users, McAfee says.
It is unclear if or when this specific threat appears in Sweden and other countries, but several similar security threats have been discovered in Sweden in the past.
For example, have News24 previously reported on Mandrake, a virus that took over the user’s device in order to collect sensitive information.
The virus hid in five apps that were available for download on the Google Play Store before they were removed by Google.
READ MORE: Android users warned about 5 apps – contain notorious virus
The prompt: “Don’t click…”
Regardless of the security threat, there are some things you as an Android user should always avoid to avoid getting into trouble.
Forbeswho also reported on SpyAgent, summarizes the main points:
“Regardless, the action is the same as always: be aware of phishing threats, only install apps from official app stores, don’t click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages, and don’t grant permissions to any app that seems excessive, unwarranted, or intrusive somehow,” the site urges.
Even McAfee is issuing a call to Android users.
“Be careful and always verify the authenticity of messages or links before clicking,” the company writes.
Photo: Unsplash
DON’T MISS: 5 hidden features of your Android you should start using