Security experts have just discovered 15 malicious applications targeting users worldwide, including users in Vietnam. It is estimated that 8 million smartphones have installed them.
Experts from security research firm McAfee discovered 15 malicious applications that masquerade as low-interest loan applications. The purpose of these applications is to steal personal data and even blackmail users.
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| Malicious apps impersonate loan apps with the aim of stealing personal information and blackmailing users |
These malicious applications will ask users to provide personal information such as bank accounts, identification documents or portrait photos, etc. to get a loan. In fact, the applications are only intended to collect information and do not provide any loans.
Some apps still lend money to users, but with fees and interest rates much higher than what was promised.
These malicious applications will impersonate the application interface of legitimate financial institutions and use the countdown tactic to provide preferential loan packages. This will make users feel urgent, not wanting to miss a good opportunity and quickly provide personal information to get a loan with preferential interest rates.
The apps also require a lot of excessive permissions when installed on smartphones, such as permission to read incoming messages, monitor call history, or even request permission to use the device's camera.
These permissions would allow hackers to collect important information on users' smartphones, which could then be used for blackmail or fraud.
Security experts say the scammers behind these malicious apps will use images of victims’ faces to edit and superimpose pornographic content for the purpose of threatening or blackmailing. The scammers even threaten to kill victims if they do not pay interest on the money they borrowed through the app.
McAfee experts said these malicious apps targeted users in South America, Southeast Asia and Africa. It is estimated that 8 million smartphones have them installed.
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| 15 malicious applications found by experts from security research firm McAfee |
Among the 10 countries with the most people who have installed these malicious applications, India, Mexico and the Philippines are the top 3 countries, of which Vietnam is in 8th place.
McAfee has notified Google about these malicious apps. Here is a list of the 15 apps that McAfee has identified.
Among these malicious applications is the name "Cash Loan - Borrow Money" - targeting users in Vietnam. Currently, the application has more than 100 thousand installations on devices. If you have installed this fraudulent application, please immediately remove it.
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