New trojanised apps detected in Google Play Store

Fake apps with Anatsa malware have been detected on Google Play Store. To avoid detection, the malware-laced apps used to download malware in small packages as firm updates and later camouflage to some other service app to steal financial details.

As per the latest statistics, there are more than three billion active Android devices around the world. Now, more people transact money on the phone than ever before. However, one has to be careful while operating online and if not, be ready to pay a heavy price.

With each passing day, there are thousands of cases of fraud are reported globally. Users are unknowingly installing trojanised apps onto their phones and losing their hard-earned money.

In the latest instance, fake apps with Anatsa malware have been detected on Google Play Store. Already, more than 150,000 users have downloaded five such apps, reported ThreatFabric's Mobile Threat Intelligence (MTI) team.

A fake app Phone Cleaner-File Explorer disguised as a service app to make the mobile work faster does not perform as per the description but was stealing banking details. The other app is PDF Reader-File Explorer, which operates with similar modus operandi.

To avoid detection, the malware-laced apps used to download malware in packages as firm updates and later camouflage to some other service app.

It was particularly used to target Samsung devices, but the ThreatFabric team believes, bad actors may come up with similar apps to target other branded phones.

Android phone owners are advised to be cautious when downloading apps not just from third-party websites and stores, but also on the Play Store.

Tips on how to detect and avoid fake apps:

1) Always download apps from official stores such as Google Play, Apple App Store, and Windows Store. Also, be sure to read reviews of the app below; there will always be telltale signs of bad apps. People would have either praised it or panned it for failing to deliver a good user experience.

2) Make it a habit of reading and knowing the publisher of an app. Even if the app banner shows that it is created by a familiar or a reputed company, ensure you observe all minute details such as typeface, fonts, and logos, as fake apps tend to have errors in terms of wrong spellings in words and bad grammar.

3) Don't blindly install apps from URL links shared or forwarded on messenger apps by your loved ones

4) Always ensure your phone is upgraded with the latest security software. Usually, Google/Apple/Microsoft releases security patches regularly to thwart emerging cyber threats

5) And, to be on the safer side, install anti-virus apps on your phone for early detection and deletion of fake apps

List of malware-laced apps detected by ThreatFabric:

1) PDF Reader: File Manager (com.tragisoap.fileandpdfmanager)

2) PDF Viewer - File Explorer (com.xolab.fileexplorer)

3) PDF Reader - Viewer & Editor (com.jumbodub.fileexplorerpdfviewer)

4) Phone Cleaner: File Explorer (com.appiclouds.phonecleaner)

5) Phone Cleaner - File Explorer (com.volabs.androidcleaner)

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