CYBER-EXPERTS are warning Android phone owners over a dangerous fake app.
It can hijack your two-factor login texts – the ones designed to keep your online accounts safe.
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The app is called Symoo and claims to be a simple texting app – but researchers say it actually contains dangerous Android malware.
It does this by relaying SMS login codes that you receive to scammers.
This lets fraudsters use your number to create accounts on Facebook, Google or Microsoft apps.
But it could ultimately be used to access anything that requires an SMS for logging in.
This means hackers could potentially access very sensitive logins, including your social media or banking apps.
It was discovered by Evina cybersecurity researcher Maxime Ingrao, who detailed the scam in a Twitter post.
“Found new Android malware that reads all the SMS and sends to a server,” said Maxime.
“A website sells account creations (Facebook, Google…). It uses infected phones to make the registrations with SMS [authentications].”
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He warned that the app had already infected 100,000 devices.
When you install the app, it asks for SMS permissions – which isn’t entirely odd for a texting app.
But cyber-experts say it will relay login codes that you receive to online crooks.
The fraudsters will reportedly sell your phone number as a “virtual number” that strangers can use to create online accounts.
And this could lead to your own accounts being compromised.
If you’ve downloaded the app, you should consider uninstalling it as soon as possible.
Always be wary when downloading apps – even if you’re getting them from the official Google Play Store.
In this case, many of the reviews complained about the app, which is a great warning sign to look out for.
How to spot dangerous apps
We’ve recently spoke to cybersecurity expert Grant Wyatt to find out what you need to look out for.
Grant, who is COO off cyber firm MIRACL, gave The Sun seven tips for using Android apps safely.
#1 – Check the downloads
“Rule number one when downloading popular apps from the Google Play Store is check the download count,” Grant told The Sun.
“If you’re about to download a hugely popular app, but the download count seems low, chances are it’s a fake.”
#2 – Dodgy permissions?
“Probably the most important thing is the PERMISSIONS that the app requires,” Grant explained.
“Are they appropriate for the app? Specifically look for apps that require access to your contact list, or permission to send text messages, for example.
“Think, does the app really need those permissions? You have to use your judgement.
“A mistake here can be really damaging, apps with network permission can ‘sniff’ any data you send, and apps with keyboard permissions can ‘sniff’ any passwords you type – avoid downloading apps that require them.”
#3 – Read the description
“Similarly, read the product description,” Grant told us.
“If the description is written in broken English, seems “bot-like”, or is formatted in a strange way, it’s likely a fake.
“While you’re checking out the product description, take a look at the images too. Is there anything strange about them?
“Are they blurry, or does the language seem off? If so, it’s likely a fake.”
#4 – Who made it?
Grant warned: “You should also look carefully at the developer of the app, particularly for finance apps.
“Make sure the developer is legitimately a financial institution.
“If the developer’s name has nothing to do with your bank, it’s likely a fake.”
#5 – Use reports!
“If you do come across a fake app, you should report it,” Grant said, speaking to The Sun.
“Simply scroll to the bottom of the page, click ‘Flag as inappropriate’.
“From there, you simply fill out a form highlighting your suspicions that the developer is up to no good, and Google will take it from there.”
#6 – Don’t be afraid to delete
“Should you mistakenly download a fake app, delete it immediately,” Grant advised.
“If the icon doesn’t show up on your screen, which often happens with data harvesting applications, head over to your application settings and delete it from there.
“However, just deleting the app doesn’t mean you’re no longer infected.
“You need to run antivirus software on your device to ensure the malware is truly gone.
“You should also delete all junk files on your phone to remove any trace of the malware.”
#7 – Lock down your accounts
“Finally, you should change all of your passwords, and consider implementing multi-factor authentication wherever possible,” Grant recommended.
“Implementing MFA will ensure that should you fall victim to a fake app again, the cybercriminal behind it won’t be able to access your account.
“The best providers will allow for single-step MFA, which gives you all the protection of traditional MFA, but without having to faff about with SMS or email codes.”
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
