Upstream’s fraud research firm Secure-D has published a new study on malware on Android. The report combines figures from 20 countries and data from 31 mobile carriers. In the first quarter of 2020, researchers detected the presence of more than 29,000 malicious apps in circulation.
like that twice as much as last year (14,500). “With the majority of the world confined indoors, dark forces have taken action to take advantage of the situation.” Secure-D researcher Geoffrey Cleaves explains, referring to the containment measures that many countries have put in place to combat Covid-19. Stuck at home, many people have turned to the internet and online services for entertainment.
90% of malicious Android apps are available on the Play Store
90% of the detected malicious apps were available on the Play Store. Concretely, Google store hosts Up to 26,100 apps containing malware. Unfortunately, this is no surprise. Many Android malware are regularly detected on the Play Store. A few weeks ago, banking malware tried to loot the accounts of PayPal, Caisse d’Epargne, and Société Générale users.
60% of fake apps on Play Store apps dedicated to entertainmentSecure-D states. The report takes the example of SnapTube, an app for downloading videos from Facebook, YouTube or any site. The app, which has been installed by over 40 million users worldwide, “70 million fraudulent transactions”SnapTube has no qualms about excessively billing paid services via users’ credit cards.
Unsurprisingly, Secude-D was therefore noted 55% increase in fraudulent online transactionsIn the first quarter compared to last year. This progress is due in particular to the resurgence of malware on Android. We recommend that you avoid installing unknown applications from the Play Store to avoid unpleasant surprises. Likewise, we invite you to protect yourself with an Android antivirus.
Source : Upstream
