The security hounds over at Sophos have discovered a Russian website which is trying to sell you a fake version of Instagram for Android. When you click the application, you do get sent to an install page, and it seems as if you are downloading Instagram but you’re actually downloading an imitation app that seems to be sending “background SMS messages to earn its creators revenue.”
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Social media is more popular than ever but unfortunately, so are viruses, malware and scams. For this reason, it’s more important than ever before for social media users to familiarize themselves with the basics of online security.
Once you install the app, which is free, it will continue to scan your Twitter account and notify you by direct message of any threats. BitDefender includes scanning on demand, so you can scan accounts before deciding to follow them.
Trend Micro Labs has discovered a new flavor of malware on Android Marketplace, identified as ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.C. The malware installs and runs in the background as a fake Google+ app and uses multiple services on the device. The malware is capable of answering and recording phone calls. The origin of this malware is still unknown.
Do you think it’s safe to access sensitive date on your mobile phone? Perhaps you should think again.
Unfortunately, it looks like people who want to maliciously attack smartphone users are increasing their efforts, particularly on Android users. Last month Google removed 25 apps from the Android Market that had malware called Droid Dream Light. In their latest efforts, the malware developers are bypassing the Android Market by providing a web site that looks very much like the official market in hopes to fool users into installing the malware-infected apps directly from the web site.
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The blocking tactics are being used by governments who feel threatened by social media. Cloning websites is a tactic where malware “controls” an individual’s website. Then, it is infiltrated via a virus or spyware in order to damage a user’s system and pull out important content. The “infiltrator” can clone the original system and distribute false information that would be difficult to perceive as fake.
In recent months a wave of attacks has hit the Android platform and attackers have cranked up production of Trojans and malwares to target Android devices. The recent discovery of several malicious apps available in the Android Market indicates the drawback of it openness and poor monitoring of apps distribution.
The first class of cyber criminals use advanced techniques such as social engineering and rare malware exploits to attack large organizations or individuals. The second class uses widely known cyber attacks like clickjacking and phishing to attack a wider user base on social networking platforms, which means anyone or everyone.
“This year more than two hundred million people will find some form of virus or spam on their Facebook wall and inadvertently spread it to all their friends,” said Adams. “Using Protection blocks these viruses making it impossible for you to infect others.”
