The saying goes that ‘if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is’, and that’s definitely the case with the latest Android scam.
Researchers from White Ops Satori Threat Intelligence & Research team have warned about more than 40 apps that promise free shoes, but actually infect your smartphone with dangerous malware.
If downloaded, the malware, dubbed TERRACOTTA, can be used to generate fraudulent ad impressions and bombard your smartphone with annoying ads.
The researchers explained: “Starting late 2019, a family of Android apps showed up on app stores with an enticing offer. Download the app, fill in your details, select a pair of shoes (or event tickets, coupons, even expensive dental treatments depending on the TERRACOTTA app), and in 14 days time those shoes will be mailed to your front door, for free, with no strings attached! What a steal, literally…
“It sounds too good to be true, but clearly many Android users found the promise enticing enough to sign up.”
(Image: White Ops)
Unsurprisingly, the ‘free shoes’ never turn up, and instead the apps install dangerous malware onto your smartphone.
The researchers added: “The real free ‘product’ surreptitiously sent to users was a box-fresh payload of ad fraud malware.”
Worryingly, the researchers have discovered the malware in thousands of apps, including 40 dangerous apps discovered in June and July this year (scroll down for the full list).
A spokesperson from Google said: “Due to our collaboration with White Ops investigating the TERRACOTTA ad fraud operation, their critical findings helped us connect the case to a previously found set of mobile apps and to identify additional bad apps.
“This allowed us to move quickly to protect users, advertisers and the broader ecosystem – when we determine policy violations, we take action.”
Based on the findings, the researchers are urging users to be vigilant about which apps they download.
They added: “Talk to the people in your life that may need a reminder to tread carefully online and give them advice on how to spot a potentially fraudulent app.
“Educating all consumers is how we can fight bad actors, like the TERRACOTTA operators, from making their schemes lucrative. Fraudsters will continue to find new ways to gain access to devices and use data for harm, so users must stay smart. For now, we suggest a safer option: check out a shoe store instead.”
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40 dangerous apps
com.blapp.videodownloader
softin.ny.women.fitness.miss.bikini
com.record.my.call
media.music.mp3player.musicplayer
luxury.art.effect.snapchat
com.bookmark.money
gallery.photomanager.picturegalleryapp.imagegallery
beautyrooom.filtersforselfie.sweet.face.camera
com.tumblr
anime.face.changer.cartoon.photo_editor
filter.selfie.camera.photo.stickers
com.livevideocallvideochat.livevideocalllite
christiansingles.match.dating.meetfriends.chat
live.wallpaper.t910001780
com.bigoceanstudio.vpn.unblock.master.unlimited.proxy.hotspot
com.yellowpages.android.ypmobile
com.glasses.tabatatimer
com.science.wishboneapp
cofs.filters4snapchat
com.deccanappz.livechat.indianchat
com.tiramisu.driftmax2
com.eastidahonews.id3165
com.lbrc.PeriodCalendar
com.bestzippers.gold.lockscreen.zipper
com.lose.felly.fat.burn.workout.home.diet.plan
com.peoplefun.blockscapes
com.worldgymfitness.resistancebandsworkouts
com.peoplefun.wordsnacks
com.seagames.dominoqq
eu.livesport.MyScore_ru
app.sarhne.com
com.twobikesgame.twobikes
photo.video.instasaveapp
com.jrzheng.supervpnpayment
com.dbSoftware.siepro
com.home.design.interior.house.mansion.myhome
com.kmplayer
kr.co.rinasoft.howuse
com.nu.launcher
com.wescan.alo
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