TECH experts have warned against dangerous malware affecting Android devices and robbing people of their savings.
The malware has been around for years, first appearing in 2021, with new iterations morphing and finding ways to weasel into Android users’ bank accounts.
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The malware is called Antsa and manages to hide in legitimate-looking apps available for download on Google Play, reports Gizchina.
The makers of Antsa malware hide the software in legitimate-looking apps on Google Play.
By posting fake reviews of the service, they allow these apps to soar to the top ranking of the Google Play store, getting many people to download them before they’re taken down.
The malware is present in apps like a Phone Cleaner, for example, which initially lie dormant in your phone to avoid raising flags.
As the days pass, they begin to cause damage.
If Antsa is successful, it activates malicious code and disrupts your Android’s accessibility.
This results in the app making decisions without your input, thus being able to access banking apps and complete financial transactions.
Android has built-in security features to prevent these hacks, but Antsa manages to bypass them by infecting devices through Google Play.
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This is one of the reasons why Google Play often warns people against downloading unverified apps.
To avoid falling prey to these hacks, it’s important to be mindful of your smartphone usage and the apps you download into your phone.
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Only download apps that you use and trust.
Be mindful to check the app thoroughly before downloading anything, reading through reviews and the services’ rating.
If any alarm bells ring, it’s best to do more research before downloading it.
It’s very important to stay informed on the subject since these malware services are growing increasingly more refined and difficult to spot.
Android users have to be extra careful.
“Compared to Apple’s App Store, Google’s Play Store has less rigid security measures in place,” said the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
“In addition, Android users can download apps from various sources on the internet,” they explained.
“This creates an environment in which cyber attacks are possible.”
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Some of the warning signs of malware in your device include:
- The appearance of pop-ups
- A shorter battery life
- The appearance of unrecognizable apps on your device
- Phone crashes and shutdowns
