Over 200 malicious apps downloaded over 8 million times, all from the Google Play Store, now that is mobile device madness. This is madness! Zscaler ThreatLabz reports there are over 8 million devices that have downloaded over 200 malicious apps through the Google Play Store. The top 3 most found malicious apps in order are: Joker, Adware, and Facestealer.
The top 3
So now we know what the top 3 most common forms of malware (malicious software) are for these 200 apps,let’s focus on what they actually do and why it matters to you and your small business.
- Joker: This particular malware can get quite expensive, but you may not know it until it’s far too late. Joke is a form of malware that quietly signs you up for paid subscription services without you knowing. Leading to costly expenses that add up quickly and quietly.
- Adware: Adware is software that displays advertisements on your devices, sometimes for legitimate purposes, but oftentimes for malicious reasons. When malicious, adware can slow devices down, hijack web browsers, or install other malware.
- Facestealer: No, this malware does not steal images of faces to use, but instead it’s named after a popular social media site. This is because Facestealer steals credentials for sites like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and other social media sites. This could lead to the loss of your small business social media accounts.
What you can do
Being aware that not all apps found in the Google Play Store are safe to use is really the first step in protecting mobile devices. But here are some more ways:
- Download apps from a trusted app store
- Download apps from a trusted brand
- Review the app permissions
- Remove unused apps from devices
- Utilize cybersecurity solutions like anti-malware, endpoint security, and other mobile device security solutions
Downloading and installing apps can sometimes be tricky. For example, downloading apps from a trusted app store. Google Play Store is the default app store for Android devices, so one would think it should be trustworthy. And for the most part it can be, but unfortunately malicious apps still find their way in. So it is important to then download apps from trusted brands. This can help reduce the risks of downloading a malicious app.
However, this isn’t always the foolproof solution. This is why it is also important to review the permissions the app is asking for. If the app is asking for many permissions, the app needs to be scrutinized as to why. Another step to follow is to remove apps that are no longer used. They take up space on devices, but they also can pose a threat if they’re malicious. Lastly, using cybersecurity protection software like anti-malware, mobile device management/endpoint security. For more ways to secure mobile devices, check out America’s SBDC North Star’s Mobile Device Security Checklist.
With these steps and awareness of malicious apps, don’t let mobile device madness get you!
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