[ad_1]
Like millions of other Americans, you probably made some resolutions for the New Year. If you want to start 2023 right, put better cybersecurity on your to-do list.
Start by removing these five redundant apps from your smartphone. It’s just the beginning. A productivity app registered in the official app store was recently discovered to hide malware. It is designed to trick you by stealing your banking credentials. If it is on your device, remove it as soon as possible.
Read on to learn more about this sneaky app and some ways to stay protected.
here’s the inside story
Some people are looking to productivity apps to simplify their lives. They can make it easy for you to keep track of important tasks in your life.
This is exactly what happened with a recently discovered malicious app available on the Google Play store. Researchers from the Zscaler ThreatLabz team have discovered an app called Productivity Apps. Todo: Day Manager Distributed the Xenomorph banking Trojan.
Once downloaded, the app will request permissions and one of them will be added as an administrator. This will prevent you from disabling device administration on your phone. Elevated privileges give the app full control over your data.
In addition to stealing financial account credentials, this banking Trojan can also intercept text messages. This means criminals have access to her Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) codes for accounts that have 2FA enabled.
what you can do about it
The best defense against malicious apps is to download applications only from official app stores and never from third-party libraries. Because these apps often contain viruses. Third-party app stores do not have security protocols like those found in Google Play or Apple’s App Store.
This malicious app was on the Google Play Store, which is unusual. If you installed the Todo: Day Manager app on your Android device, remove it immediately.
Here’s how to remove an app from your Android phone.
- open Google Play store app.
- in the upper right profile icon.
- Tap App and device management > management.
- Then tap the name of the app you want to remove.
- Tap Uninstall.
Checking comments and reviews before downloading an app is a great way to stay safe. If an app hides malware, other users are more likely to report it and write it down in the comments. If you don’t feel like something, don’t download the app.
Another thing is to be careful about permissions when installing apps. Make sure permissions match the app’s intended functionality and don’t allow unnecessary permissions. For example, there’s no reason why a calculator app should have access to your location.
There are several other ways to protect against malicious apps. Below are some suggestions.
- to enable Google Play Protect. Google Play store > Profile > Play Protect > Settings and turn on Scan apps with Play Protect.
- to check for security updates for your phone. setting > system > system update.
- Beware of apps that use similar logos or have similar functionality to other popular apps. A similar logo could mean that the app is designed to disguise itself as a legitimate program and spread malware.
- Be careful with permissions. Stay away if an app requests full access to your text messages and notifications.
- Install reliable antivirus software on all devices. We recommend their sponsor, TotalAV. Get an annual plan for TotalAV Internet Security now at ProtectWithKim.com for just $19. More than 85% OFF from regular price!
keep reading
10 best apps to see what your kids are doing on their phones in 2023
Suspect someone is spying on your texts and apps? Do this now
[ad_2]
Source link
