If your phone’s photo gallery contains screenshots of login credentials, cryptocurrency wallet details, or any other sensitive content, you should be wary of a malware called SparkKitty. This malicious software spreads through harmful apps found on the App Store, Google Play Store, and third-party sources, and it can steal users’ private information within seconds.
SparkKitty Targets Users’ Screenshots
Unfortunately, hackers are constantly devising new ways to access people’s personal data. One such method is the SparkKitty malware, identified by Kaspersky and Bleeping Computer. It targets all devices regardless of whether they run Android or iOS.
Once SparkKitty infects an iOS device, it requests access to the photo gallery. If granted, it can monitor and export newly taken photos. On Android devices, it seeks storage permissions to access images.
Just like previous malware, SparkKitty doesn’t infect devices randomly. While no specific app has been named, reports suggest that fake versions of popular apps—like TikTok—are being used to trick users. Some apps have even been removed from the App Store and Google Play Store for this reason.
To minimize the risk of being affected by spyware like SparkKitty, iOS and Android users should take some precautionary steps.
First, avoid storing sensitive data—such as crypto wallet details or login credentials—in your photo gallery. Secondly, always be cautious when downloading apps.
Another important aspect is app permissions. If an app requests permissions that don’t align with its core function, be suspicious. For example, a football game shouldn’t be asking for camera access. In short, don’t grant all permissions to new apps without careful consideration.
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