Porn app took secret photos of users then locked the user's device and displayed a demand for $500
Porn app took secret photos of users
6 hours ago
A malicious Android app that held people to ransom has
been found by US security firm Zscaler.
Adult Player appeared to offer pornography, but secretly
took pictures of users with the phone's front-facing camera.
It then locked the user's device and displayed a demand
for $500 (£330) which was difficult to bypass.
One security expert told the BBC that ransomware was a
lucrative and growing area of cybercrime.
Apps which demand money from people with a threat to
release private information, or wipe a device, are known as ransomware.
In August, Intel Security said examples of ransomware had
increased 127% since 2014 - primarily affecting desktop computers and laptops.
"One of the reasons for the increase is that it's
very easy to make," said Raj Samani, chief technology officer for Intel
Security in Europe.
"There are people you can pay to do the work for
you, and it pays really well. One group we tracked made more than $75,000 in 10
weeks.
"Apps like this rely on the embarrassment factor. If
you don't pay, your reputation is on the line."
Adult Player was the second example of
pornography-focused ransomware discovered by Zscaler.
The app was not available from vetted storefronts such as
Google Play, but could be installed directly from a webpage.
Zscaler said the app's ransom message kept the phone's
screen switched on at all times, and reappeared if the handset was restarted.
'Common sense'
Some ransomware threatens to delete personal data
"Ransomware is more prevalent on computers than
phones, but this could be the start of a trend," said Mr Samani.
"You can stay safe with some basic common sense.
Some ransomware threatens to delete your photos, videos and documents so back
up your data. Then if you are targeted you can wipe your system and start over.
"Only download apps from the proper Google Play
store. And if you receive an app download link in an email, don't click
it."
Zscaler said anybody that had downloaded Adult Player
should reboot their handset into "safe mode". The exact method varies
between handset manufacturers.
Safe mode loads the operating system without running any
third-party apps, allowing people to delete malicious software.
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