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posted by
martyb
on Friday January 05 2018, @03:50PM
from the the-play's-the-thing-where-I'll-capture... dept.
from the the-play's-the-thing-where-I'll-capture... dept.
TrendMicro has discovered 36 apps in Google Play that execute unwanted behavior:
These apps posed as useful security tools under the names Security Defender, Security Keeper, Smart Security, Advanced Boost, and more. They also advertised a variety of capabilities: scanning, cleaning junk, saving battery, cooling the CPU, locking apps, as well as message security, WiFi security, and so on.
The apps were actually able to perform these simple tasks, but they also secretly harvested user data, tracked user location, and aggressively pushed advertisements.
The apps in question have been removed from Google Play.
Related: Google Pauses Crackdown on Apps That Use Accessibility Features
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Apps on Google Play Disguised as Security Tools Instead Serve Ads and Track Users' Location
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Can anyone remember when the times were not hard, and money not scarce?
(Score: 2) by deimtee on Saturday January 06 2018, @10:17AM
1/ Write totally innocuous app that respects your privacy, doesn't phone home except for updates, and does some totally useful little function.
2/ Pay for your excellent not-spammy rating, and five stars for usefel and well designed behavior.
3/ Millions of people install your app.
4/ Your app phones home for update.
5/ Update turns your app into king of spammy, tracking, ad-serving bullshittery.
6/ Profit!!!
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.