Some apps on the App Store and Google Play have been found to contain HiddenAds trojan hidden inside, allowing ads to be served even when users don’t have them open.
according to PhoneArena, is that removing these apps is not as simple as having their icons hidden. In addition to providing adware, some charge between $ 2-10 for useless in-app purchases to generate up to $ 50,000 in revenue for crooks, according to reports from the distribution firm. Sensor Tower application area. Some of these spam/phishing apps are promoted by a trio of TikTok users, with one of them having as many as 300,000 followers.
Based on its analysis, Avast security firm said that a total of 11 apps on iOS and Android are involved in this fraud. These apps are fraudulent and violate both Apple and Google policies by making misleading claims about app functions or serving ads outside of the app, hiding the native app icon immediately. after it is installed.
What’s special is that apps are being advertised on social media platforms that are popular with young children who may not recognize some of the fraud around and fall victim to, according to Avast. Avast also discovered an Instagram profile with more than 5,000 followers promoting the apps.
Experts recommend users when installing apps from the App Store or Google Play to pay attention to ratings and reviews from the user community. Some of the apps discovered showed an average score of 1.3 to 3 on a 5-point scale.
Avast says it has informed Apple and Google about the malware found in their respective app stores. They have also informed TikTok and Instagram of the accounts promoting these apps.
At the moment, experts recommend users to avoid or uninstall the following apps, including:
- Google Play Store: ThemeZone – Shawky App Free – Shock My Friends; Tap Roulette ++ Shock my Friend; and Ulimate Music Downloader – Free Download Music.
- Apple App Store: Shock My Friends – Satuna; 666 Time; ThemeZone – Live Wallpapers; and shock my friend tap roulette v.
