Researchers from Sophos has highlighted many dangerous apps on Android that contain ‘fleeceware’. Around 23 scam apps have been listed that can affect Android users with a huge amount of money.
It is said that these apps violated the Google Play Store’s policies.
“The new Google-issued rules are designed to address some forms of deceptive marketing display copy, but they also have some loopholes that permit other behavior some might consider unscrupulous.” said a researcher, Jagadeesh Chandraiah.
This application aims to ‘withdraw money’ from unsuspecting users in several ways. It includes ‘spam subscriptions’ and free trial promises without specifying how long or how much will be charged afterward.
“You sign up once, and find yourself subscribed to a bunch of different apps as the fleeceware apps advertise one another,” he said.
“Users sometimes unknowingly subscribe to hundreds of dollars worth of app subscriptions by clicking buttons like these,” added Chandraiah.
Another technique that was used to scam Android users is making the terms and conditions almost impossible to read.
“While not exclusive to fleeceware, some apps that charge a subscription still display the costs or important terms literally in grey fonts on a white background, or using incredibly tiny fonts that virtually blend into the background of the subscription solicitation on a mobile device,” he added.
“In so doing, the publishers perform the letter, but not the spirit, of the rules – they display the full subscription details in a way that the eye trying to read it just naturally wants to glaze over,” said Chandraiah.
If you all have already downloaded these apps on your phone, the Sophos researchers warned you to delete the apps immediately. Do your research by reviewing app reviews and trying to find the company that made it.
Those who were using Android must always be wary of apps that seem ridiculously expensive or that promise a free trial if you sign up with financial information.
Below are the 23 scam apps that was dangerous to Android users:
- com.photoconverter.fileconverter.jpegconverter
- com.recoverydeleted.recoveryphoto.photobackup
- com.screenrecorder.gamerecorder.screenrecording
- com.photogridmixer.instagrid
- com.compressvideo.videoextractor
- com.smartsearch.imagessearch
- com.emmcs.wallpapper
- com.wallpaper.work.application
- com.gametris.wallpaper.application
- com.tell.shortvideo
- com.csxykk.fontmoji
- com.video.magician
- com.el2020xstar.xstar
- com.dev.palmistryastrology
- com.dev.furturescope
- com.fortunemirror
- com.itools.prankcallfreelite
- com.isocial.fakechat
- com.old.me
- com.myreplica.celebritylikeme.pro
- com.nineteen.pokeradar
- com.pokemongo.ivgocalculator
- com.hy.gscanner
Source: The Sun UK