If you sideload an app from outside of Google Play, you run the risk of installing malware onto your device.
Everybody likes saving money, even more so today when inflation is continuously going up. But like anything else, it comes with a cost.
Another dangerous Android malware has been discovered recently. It not only takes personal information, but it can actually take control of your device to send text messages and make calls.
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of malicious applications being found in the Google Play Store. They are usually taken down pretty quickly, but not until a significant number of users are compromised. Some malwares are distributed in unconventional methods and third-party app stores.
Security experts at Zimperium Labs discovered an updated Remote Access Trojan (RAT) which targets Android devices. An ad for a fake app containing the malware was spotted on social media, specifically targeted towards business owners and other users in the Middle East.
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The app is called NumRent and is an updated version of a previous spyware program known as TextMe. It claims to let people access websites that are often blocked by the government or firewall by the network. But instead of downloading it directly from the Play Store, users are asked to get it from a third-party website. The reason why? It’s probably because it’s malware-infested.
It’s really not a good idea to install apps from unknown sources. We strongly suggest downloading apps directly from the Google Play and Apple App Store. However, if you must download them from a social network, make sure they’re legitimate sources. Here are some alternatives where you can download APK files for Android.
The malware hidden within the NumRent app has been named as RatMilad by the researchers from Zimperium Lab. Here’s what it can do:
- Access contacts, calls logs, and text messages.
- Monitor and record conversations made on the device.
- Check the accounts and device permissions.
- Read, write and remove files.
- Get GPS location information.
- Monitor data on the clipboard.
RatMilad lets hackers get into your device and allows them to call and message people without your knowledge.
What should you do? Always be mindful of which apps and games you download. To lessen the risk, make sure to download software only from trusted sources.