Google is really removing Android apps that steal Facebook Passwords
When Malicious applications continued to be an issue for Android smartphones, despite its best efforts, Google was unable to entirely block such apps from being posted on the Play Store. However, when the company gets aware of applications that attempt to steal customer information, it takes quick action. Although, Google is still striving to remove Android applications that violate key privacy laws it has deleted nine applications from the Play Store after Dr. Web researchers determined that they were trojans that stole Facebook login information.
These programs were completely functioning, with photo editing, fitness, trash file cleaning, and even horoscopes. They were the same as the numerous other applications on the Play Store that do similar functions. Users were encouraged to deactivate in-app advertisements by entering into their Facebook accounts. The user-entered login information is then hijacked and transmitted to the server of the attacker. This approach might have been utilized by the attackers to steal login data for any other online service. But in all of these applications, Facebook was the only objective.
The list of these nine apps are as follows:
- PIP Photo (5,000,000+ downloads)
- Rubbish Cleaner (100,000+ downloads)
- Processing Photo (500,000+ downloads)
- Lockit Master (5,000+ downloads)
- Inwell Fitness (100,000+ downloads)
- Horoscope Daily (100,000+ downloads)
- App Lock manager (10 downloads)
- App Lock Keep (50,000+ downloads)
- Horoscope Pi (1,000 downloads)
The nine apps have a total of more than 5.8 million downloads. It’s surprising that the applications could continue without so long being discovered. This may be because the applications were able to roam beneath the radar tactics employed here. Since then, Google has deleted these applications from the Play Store and blacklisted all 9 app publishers on the platform, so that no new apps are accessible. However, that may not be a much persuasive strategy though because the crooks can probably build new developer accounts. In order to keep attackers out, Google may have to screen the virus.
Therefore, you should be careful to download applications from unknown developers regardless of how popular they look. Uninstall them immediately if you have installed one of the above apps on your Android smartphone. Also, ensure that your Facebook password is reset and that 2-factor authentication is activated to stay on the safe side.
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