Cyber criminals continue to use unimaginable methods to steal the hard-earned money and personal information of individuals. These thieves often deploy applications that are embedded with malware (trojans) to ensnare their victims. While these apps may initially appear useful and user-friendly, once installed on devices, they operate in the background to capture sensitive information.
200 malicious applications were detected in the Google Play Store in the last year
According to a recent report from Zscaler ThreatLabz, 200 malicious applications were detected in the Google Play Store over the past year, from June 2023 to May 2024. It was highlighted that these malicious apps were downloaded approximately 8 million times.
Moreover, it was noted that cyber attackers targeted over 650 financial institutions worldwide using a banking trojan named Anatsa. This trojan spreads primarily through applications disguised as PDF readers and QR code scanners.
According to Zscaler ThreatLabz, the United States is the most targeted country for cyberattacks, followed by Japan, China, Singapore, and Germany. The countries most frequently attacked by mobile applications containing trojans are India, the United States, Canada, South Africa, and the Netherlands.
Despite monitoring in app stores like Google Play and the App Store, malicious trojan software still manages to bypass these checks and reach users. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious with applications from unknown developers or those that request excessive permissions. Additionally, regularly scanning your device with a reliable antivirus program can help mitigate risks.
What do you think about this issue? How can we prevent such malicious software? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section!
