Tech »  Topic »  Over 250 malicious apps found targeting Android users in worrying attack - here's how to stay safe

Over 250 malicious apps found targeting Android users in worrying attack - here's how to stay safe


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  • Researchers found 250+ fake dating apps targeting Android users
  • The apps ask extensive permissions and end up stealing sensitive files
  • Victims are later extorted under threat of releasing the files to friends and family

An “emotionally manipulative” extortion campaign has been spotted leveraging hundreds of mobile apps across mobile ecosystems.

Security researchers Zimperium zLabs claimed to have found more than 250 Android apps, all pretending to be dating and romance apps.

While they all look slick and well-designed, they all work as infostealers, grabbing contact information, photos, and other data from the devices. In some instances, the victims were lured into granting access through “emotionally charged interactions”, and exclusive “invitation codes”.

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