‘Silently emptying bank accounts’ warns expert because of dangerous Android app
TECH experts have warned of dangerous malware affecting Android devices and robbing people of their savings.
The malware has been around for years and will first appear in 2021, with new iterations changing and finding ways to hack into Android users’ bank accounts.
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The malware is called Antsa and manages to hide in legitimate-looking apps that are available for download on Google Play, reports say Gizchina.
The makers of Antsa malware hide the software in legitimate-looking apps on Google Play.
By posting fake reviews about the service, they ensure that these apps rise to the top spot of the Google Play Store, causing many people to download them before they are removed.
For example, the malware is present in apps like Phone Cleaner, which initially lie dormant in your phone to prevent flags from being raised.
As the days pass, they begin to cause damage.
If Antsa is successful, it will activate malicious code and disrupt the accessibility of your Android.
This results in the app making decisions without your input, allowing you to access banking apps and complete financial transactions.
Android has built-in security features to prevent these hacks, but Antsa manages to bypass them by infecting devices through Google Play.
This is one of the reasons why Google Play often warns people against downloading unverified apps.
To avoid falling prey to these hacks, it’s important that you take into account your smartphone usage and the apps you download to your phone.
Only download apps you use and trust.
Make sure to check the app thoroughly before downloading anything, and read the reviews and rating of the services.
If alarm bells are ringing, it’s best to do more research before downloading.
It is very important to stay informed on this topic as these malware services are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to spot.
Android users should be extra careful.
“Compared to Apple’s App Store, Google’s Play Store has less stringent security measures,” said cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
“Additionally, Android users can download apps from various sources on the Internet,” they explained.
“This creates an environment in which cyber attacks are possible.”
Some warning signs of malware on your device include:
- The appearance of pop-ups
- Shorter battery life
- The appearance of unrecognizable apps on your device
- Phone crashes and shuts down