According to StatCounter, Android continues to dominate the niche of mobile operating systems globally, boasting a 75% market share as of May 2019. It is an amazingly flexible and user-friendly platform delivering great perks with every new update. The immense popularity makes Android a coveted target for cybercriminals and scammers who are constantly looking for ways to get around its defences.
Ideally, the built-in Google Play Protect feature is supposed to keep malicious apps from ever reaching Android devices. In practice, though, numerous samples of booby-trapped software are sliding unnoticed into the official marketplace all the time. The recent malware outbreaks described below demonstrate that the mobile threat climate is getting hotter and the current security mechanisms aren’t enough to cool it down.
Android malware pilfering one-time passwords
In March 2019, Google announced countermeasures for apps requesting redundant permissions, such as SMS and call log access. This change of the developer policy made it harder for unscrupulous software makers to obtain users’ credentials through bypassing 2FA (two-factor authentication). However, fraudsters appear to have found a clever workaround.
A campaign discovered in mid-June abuses Android’s notification system to steal OTPs (one-time passwords) arriving via short message service or email. Numerous fishy applications mimicking a Turkish cryptocurrency exchange service BtcTurk ended up on Google Play store as part of a major credentials theft maneuver. These apps request notification access rather than permissions to read SMS, which allows them to fly under the radar of Google’s restrictions mentioned above.
Nevertheless, these privileges suffice to read notifications from apps displayed on the screen of an infected device, dismiss them, or click the embedded buttons behind the scenes. It means that the dodgy apps can get 2FA codes generated by various services and sent to a smartphone.
To make the attack chain complete, the impostor applications present a bogus login form. Once the unsuspecting victim enters the username and password in it, these details are surreptitiously sent to the criminals and a fake error message appears about failed login attempt due to maintenance. As a result, the felons get hold of the user’s authentication data for the cryptocurrency exchange and can easily circumvent 2FA mechanisms for other services further on.
Missed call? Not really
In another intricate move, malefactors were able to abuse Android’s Notifications and Push APIs (application programming interfaces) to promote scams. An ongoing campaign is delivering spammy Chrome notifications that, when tapped, redirect the victims to websites crammed up with ads, or to pages that host rogue login forms and aim to steal credentials.
The trickiest part of this hoax is that the fraudsters are using custom icons to obfuscate their bad intentions. This way, a sketchy link in the notification area of a device’s screen may look like a missed call alert. Most people primarily pay attention to the visual manifestation of push messages, so they are likely to get curious who the caller is and press the entry.
The resulting deceptive page can ask for the visitor’s personal data to claim freebies, require extra verification due to a declined payment, or simply display annoying sponsored content. It’s noteworthy that these masqueraded messages won’t show up unless the user accepts notifications from a dubious domain in the browser. Therefore, it’s definitely a good idea to treat such requests with caution.
URL spoofing in a popular Android browser
In early May 2019, researchers discovered an imperfection in the latest versions of the UC Browser that allows cybercriminals to hide the actual URL of a visited site. For the record, this web navigation tool is being used on hundreds of millions of Android devices, so the attack surface is potentially enormous.
According to the report, the app authors have changed the way the URLs are displayed in the address bar. When a user is looking up random information on the Internet and taps entry in the SERPs (search engine results pages), UC Browser and its Mini version only show the search term instead of presenting the actual domain. If the search query string looks like a reputable website’s address, e.g. facebook.com, then the user will think they are on the right web page while they may be actually visiting a malicious Internet resource.
The fact that a harmful landing page may impersonate a legitimate site makes it possible for offenders to orchestrate effective phishing campaigns or serve malware onto Android devices. At the time of this writing, the flaw continues to be in effect although security analysts made the app publisher aware of the issue.
Fake apps causing redirects to fraudulent sites
When looking for apps related to popular brands, Android users run the risk of installing Trojans in disguise. In a new wave of malvertising, perpetrators exploit the web push technology to display deceptive notifications and forward the victims’ traffic to scam sites. The malware-riddled applications that got on researchers’ radar pretend to come from well-known clothing retailers. The range of these culprits could span many more industries, though.
Once such an app is installed, it opens a specific predefined website in Google Chrome. This web page triggers a request to allow notifications, which is cloaked underneath a garden-variety verification that the visitor is not a bot. If the user grants this permission, the site will start sending numerous web push messages to the device. These entries will be showing up in the notification panel even if Chrome is closed or the troublemaking website isn’t currently open.
The push messages can look like alerts from social networks, news outlets, dating sites, and other services most people use every day. When tapped, they redirect the victims to different kinds of shady web pages promoting untrustworthy betting resources, coupons, counterfeit prize claims, and similar hoaxes.
Conclusion
Fully relying on Android’s native security features is a risky business. If there is a ban or restriction introduced to strengthen the defenses, cybercriminals are quite likely to get around it. Moreover, the danger doesn’t necessarily stem from unofficial app repositories. The examples above show that cybercrooks are regularly uploading malicious programs to Google’s Play Store without being stopped in their tracks. Some would advise using Apple products. Yes, they used to be much safer but with many recent examples of rogue programs, it appears that the only way for regular users with any OS to stay safe boils down to vigilance.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).