YOGYAKARTA – There are a number of malicious mobile applications that threaten bank accounts if installed on your smartphone. Check out the list of these dangerous applications below.
Cybercriminals often use fake apps to deceive their victims. One type of application that is often used as camouflage is online loan applications.
Some of these dangerous applications can be downloaded easily by Android users because they are provided on the Google Play Store.
Investigations from cybersecurity firm McAfee Mobile Security found that 15 malicious applications had been downloaded more than 8 million times worldwide. Three of them are provided from Indonesia.
“They operate locally in targeted areas, especially in South America, South Asia and Africa. Some of them are promoted through fraudulent advertisements on social media,” McAfee said.
This application not only trickes users with quick loan offers, but also takes personal data to misuse.
According to McAfee data, three applications from Indonesia registered include Ku Credit, Flash Fund, and Kilat Rupiah.
These three applications offer easy loans with low interest rates. However, behind that, this application accesses users’ personal data such as contacts, SMS messages, and personal photos for unethical purposes.
McAfee reports that the three applications have been downloaded by as many as 2 million users.
The applications, commonly known as SpyLoan, use social engineering tactics to manipulate users into giving over access to their devices.
There are several patterns that can be identified from applications like this, one of which is misleading advertising. These applications are often advertised on social media with fast loan promises, low interest rates, and minimal requirements.
Although the goal is to cheat, the SpyLoan application comes with a professional appearance. This dangerous application is available with a name and logo that resembles an official financial institution to make it look convincing.
Furthermore, this application takes advantage of fake privacy approvals to deceive its users. When it was first accessed, users were invited to agree to a privacy policy that looked official, but actually contained an agreement to access sensitive data.
The SpyLoan app is also informed to make redundant access requests. Once the application is installed, permission will appear to access contacts, SMS messages, phone calls, cameras, and microphones, even though these access are irrelevant to the benefits of the application as a loan provider on offer.
The last and most risky characteristics are requests for sensitive data. SpyLoan victims were asked to provide identification documents such as ID cards and sensitive personal information, employee information, bank accounts, and device data taken from victims’ devices.
“The SpyLoan app is an intrusive financial application that captivates users with fast and flexible loan promises, often featuring low interest rates and minimal requirements,” explains McAfee.
Below are 15 malicious SpyLoan-type apps:
That’s a review of the malicious mobile application that threatens a bank account. Visit VOI.id to get other interesting information.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language.
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