Meta sends alert about 400 malicious apps targeting 1 mn users
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New Delhi: At least 1 million Facebook users have received alerts from Meta about more than 400 malicious Android and iOS apps that are aimed at compromising their accounts by stealing their login credentials.
The business claims it has informed Apple and Google of its discoveries and is assisting those who may be impacted in learning more about how to keep safe and secure their accounts.
"These apps were listed on the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store and disguised as photo editors, games, VPN services, business apps and other utilities to trick people into downloading them," said David Agranovich, Director, Threat Disruption at Meta.
Meta said Apple and Google have taken down those 400 malicious apps from their respective online stores.
"We are also alerting people who may have unknowingly self-compromised their accounts by downloading these apps and sharing their credentials, and are helping them to secure their accounts," the company said in a blog post late on Friday.
Malicious developers create malware apps disguised as apps with fun or useful functionality -- like cartoon image editors or music players -- and publish them on mobile app stores.
"To cover up negative reviews by people who have spotted the defunct or malicious nature of the apps, developers may publish fake reviews to trick others into downloading the malware," said Meta.
If the login information is stolen, attackers could potentially gain full access to a person's account and do things like message their friends or access private information.
Meta said that if you believe you've downloaded a malicious app and have logged in with your social media or other online credentials, "we recommend that you delete the app from your device immediately".
With inputs from IANS
