April 29, 2024 at 12:13PM Google blocked 2.28 million Android apps and 333,000 Google Play accounts due to policy violations, part of its ‘SAFE’ principles to protect users and innovate responsibly. Enhanced reviewing processes and collaborations with SDK providers resulted in the rejection or remediation of 200,000 risky app submissions. Google advises sourcing apps only … Read more
April 29, 2024 at 12:05PM Google blocked 2.28 million apps from Google Play due to policy violations, while also identifying and blocking 333,000 accounts for malware and policy breaches. These actions are part of Google’s ‘SAFE’ principles to protect users and developers. Additional efforts include rejecting risky app submissions and partnering with SDK providers. Users … Read more
March 27, 2024 at 10:54AM Numerous VPN apps turned Android devices into residential proxies and made their way into the Google Play store, containing a malicious library responsible for enrolling devices as proxy nodes and linked to Asocks, a residential proxy seller. The malicious functionality could be added to any APK through the LumiApps SDK. … Read more
March 26, 2024 at 12:40PM Multiple free VPN apps on Google Play were found incorporating a malicious software development kit, transforming Android devices into residential proxies for potential cybercrime and shopping bots. These apps, originally promoting as VPN software, utilized the Proxylib SDK to convert devices into proxies without users’ knowledge. Google has taken action … Read more
February 19, 2024 at 08:38AM The Anatsa banking trojan has targeted Android users in Europe by using Google Play-hosted malware droppers. Security firm ThreatFabric detected five campaigns in the UK, Germany, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, leading to 150,000 infections. The trojan uses dropper apps to infect devices and has evolved to bypass … Read more
February 5, 2024 at 08:45AM Patchwork used romance scam lures to distribute VajraSpy trojan in India and Pakistan. ESET uncovered 12 espionage apps, including some on Google Play, infecting over 1,400 devices. The malware steals various data and was spread through fake messaging apps. This isn’t the first time for Patchwork, which has targeted similar … Read more
February 2, 2024 at 10:44AM The Indian APT group Patchwork used six Android espionage applications on Google Play, masquerading as messaging and news services, to distribute the VajraSpy remote access Trojan. ESET researchers found the RAT intercepts calls, messages, extracts WhatsApp and Signal messages, records calls, and takes pictures. The campaign primarily targeted Pakistani users … Read more
February 1, 2024 at 02:11PM VajraSpy, an Android remote access trojan, was discovered in 12 apps, 6 of which were on Google Play. The malware stole personal data and targeted users primarily in Pakistan. ESET researchers linked it to the Patchwork APT group and advised against downloading obscure chat apps. The threat actors’ tactics continue … Read more
February 1, 2024 at 11:10AM Google has offered a temporary fix for Google Pixel devices affected by the January 2024 Google Play system update, causing issues like app crashes and storage problems. While a more permanent update is in the works, impacted users can perform a complex fix using developer tools, with complaints about the … Read more
December 11, 2023 at 03:00AM Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered 18 malicious loan apps on the Google Play Store, collectively downloaded over 12 million times. These apps target users in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, gathering personal and financial information for blackmail. It’s crucial to download apps from official sources and scrutinize permissions and reviews … Read more