Malicious Android app can copy photos, listen to conversations
Security experts are warning of a new
Android app that claims to clean and protect your phone, but will
actually share your phone's photos and record your conversations.
The app, going by the names of DroidCleaner and SuperClean in the Google Play store, have raised red flags over at Kaspersky Lab.
In the app store, the app even has a fairly high rating of 4.5/5, along with several five-star ratings. For those users out there running older or slower (cheap) Android phones, this malicious app could seem like an easy way to speed things up.
They say that this isn't the usual flavour of malicious Android apps, which are known for sending texts to your contacts and hijacking your mobile web browser.
These two apps get a little deeper into your digital life because they don't just infect your phone, but your computer too.
According to Kaspersky Lab, the app will copy all the data on your phone, such as pictures and text messages, and send it back to the app's creator.
That's not all, folks. Those who plug their phone into their computers to sync music will infect their PC.
The app has been found to also turn on the microphone of both your PC and smartphone and record everything that you say.
The fact that this app made it into the Google Play store highlights the risk that Android's open platform poses for the general public.
Android offers users freedom compared to Apple, but it also offers some risks. Is it worth it?
- Maurice Cacho, MSN Tech & Gadgets
Comments
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Posted by: lol | Feb 6, 2013 2:26:19 AM
I think I'll hack their company...
just think of all the info I'll get...mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
lol
Posted by: komrade | Feb 6, 2013 11:37:16 AM
hmmm... sounds like the work of an mercenary Apple or Blackberry developer.... LOL...
Posted by: Manny | Feb 6, 2013 1:13:30 PM
All I would like to see is - they catch who created the malware, until then its the same ol propaganda to disgrace others. People like me will not be intimidated, we will collaborate and work hard at taking personal protection actions. And I bet you they know who did it ...