Tag: Google Play

ESET discovers targeted attack via fake messaging apps, available on web and Google Play

April 10, 2024

ESET researchers have discovered an active espionage campaign named eXotic Visit, targeting Android users with apps primarily posing as messaging services. While these apps offer functional services as bait, they are bundled with the open-source XploitSPY malware. ESET has named this campaign eXotic Visit and has tracked its activities from November 2021 through to the … More ESET discovers targeted attack via fake messaging apps, available on web and Google Play

ESET Research discovers espionage apps utilizing romance scams

February 1, 2024

ESET Research discovered a new cyberespionage campaign that, with a high level of confidence, ESET attributes to the Patchwork APT group. ESET researchers have identified 12 Android espionage apps that share the same malicious code; six were available on Google Play. All the observed applications were advertised as messaging tools, apart from one that posed … More ESET Research discovers espionage apps utilizing romance scams

These aren’t the Androids you should be looking for

December 21, 2023

You may get more than you bargained for when you buy a budget-friendly smartphone and forgo safeguards baked into Google Play. When shopping for a new smartphone, you’re likely to look for the best bang for your buck. If you’re on the hunt for a top-of-the-range device but aren’t keen on paying top dollar for … More These aren’t the Androids you should be looking for

Loan sharks use Android apps to reach new depths

December 5, 2023

Beware of predatory fin(tech): ESET researchers describe the growth of deceptive loan apps for Android and techniques they use to circumvent Google Play This year, ESET researchers have observed alarming growth in deceptive Android loan apps, which present themselves as legitimate personal loan services, promising quick and easy access to funds. Despite their attractive appearance, … More Loan sharks use Android apps to reach new depths

ESET Research: Spy apps by the GREF group pose as Signal and Telegram; attack users in Europe and the US

August 30, 2023

ESET researchers have identified two active campaigns targeting Android users, where the threat actors behind the tools for Telegram and Signal are attributed to the APT group GREF. Most likely active since July 2020 and since July 2022, respectively for each malicious app, the campaigns have distributed the Android BadBazaar espionage code through the Google … More ESET Research: Spy apps by the GREF group pose as Signal and Telegram; attack users in Europe and the US