Google has been forced to remove another slew of dodgy apps from the Android Market, after 37 were found posing as real games.
Also known as fan apps,' these applications sent user data, including OS version, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and phone number to various remove servers as soon as the fake games were activated, Trend Micro found.
The apps also used aggressive marketing techniques, forcing users to share on Facebook what they downloaded as well as give them a rating on the Android Market.
The apps being taken off the Android Market does not eliminate this threat entirely.
Trend notified Google of the rogue apps, which were subsequently removed from the market.
"The apps being taken off the Android Market does not eliminate this threat entirely. Cyber criminals can still choose to upload them to other sites such as third-party app stores, forums and others," said Trend threats analyst Kervin Alintanahin, in a blog post.
"Quite obviously, this trend of apps being equipped with aggressive advertising methods especially those related to search monetization will be seen for quite a while. Thus, users are advised to be extra careful when installing apps."
Trend has seen various scams spreading across Android Market. It caught one developer posing as Rovio Mobile, the Angry Birds creator, but replaces the L' in the word Mobile' with a capitalised i'.
Another scam saw a fake version of the popular game Temple Run appear on the market.
Recent research from Juniper Networks showed Android malware rose 3,325 per cent in last seven months of 2011 alone.
Google has launched a feature known as Bouncer to bring added protection to the Android Market.
It will perform scans on new applications, apps already in Android Market and on developer accounts.
-
Vertiv announces new EMEA presidentNews The vendor’s EMEA leadership transition will see Ryan succeed Karsten Winther, who retires from the role in December
-
Google says reports of a 'huge' Gmail breach affecting millions of users are false, againNews Reports of a major Gmail affecting millions of users have been flooding the web this week – Google says they're "false" and you've nothing to worry about.
-
Scania admits leak of data after extortion attemptNews Hacker stole 34,000 files from a third-party managed website, trucking company says
-
Exploitation of Docker remote API servers has reached a “critical level”News Hackers are targeting Docker’s remote access API as it allows them to pivot from a single container to the host and deploy malware with ease
-
Cyber criminal underground “thriving” as weekly attacks surge by 75% in Q3 2024Cyber attacks reached another all-time high this quarter as digital crime continues to be a highly profitable industry for threat actors
-
Alarm raised over patched Phemedrone Stealer malware that's being used to target Windows PCs - here's what you need to knowNews Phemedrone Stealer is being used to exploit a vulnerability in Windows Defender SmartScreen despite the issue being patched in November 2023
-
SOC modernization and the role of XDRWhitepaper Automate security processes to deliver efficiencies across IT
-
Uncovering the ransomware threat from global supply chainsWhitepaper Effectively mitigate ransomware risk
-
The near and far future of ransomware business modelsWhitepaper Discover how criminals use ransomware as a cyberweapon
-
Trend Micro security predictions for 2023Whitepaper Prioritise cyber security strategies on capabilities rather than costs
