The Pradeo research team discovered that two widely used data management applications contain dangerous code that sends users’ information to foreign servers. These programs have been installed a total of 1.5 million times.
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These applications were supposed to help manage data, but they actually contribute to their exposure to risk. These two applications have been downloaded as many as 1.5 million times.
We are talking about programs called File Recovery and Data Recovery (com.spot.music.filedate) and File Manager (com.file.box.master.gkd), which were created by a Chinese programmer named wang tom. These programs were theoretically supposed to help with file management, file recovery, and system optimization. The privacy policy only informed about the potential display of advertisements. However, as researchers point out, this was only part of the truth.
These apps even collect private photos. Performing up to hundreds of transfers simultaneously, both programs collect various types of data, such as multimedia (photos, videos, etc.), location and service provider information, SIM card provider code, as well as information about the system version and device type. All of this is sent to a server in China, which Pradeo researchers say is malicious. Moreover, these programs make their uninstallation difficult because they use the permissions granted to them to hide their home screen icon. Malicious apps start automatically when you restart your phone and run in the background, making them a constant threat from the moment you install them.
If you have installed apps on your phone, you should take immediate action to minimize risk and protect your data. First of all, remove the application: go to your phone’s settings, find the application section or application manager, locate the dangerous application in the list of installed ones and select the delete option. Then scan your device with an antivirus, update the software and perform a system update. If you used a dangerous application, try to change the passwords on all accounts, in social media, and above all in online banking.
2023-07-23 14:20:00
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