New Delhi, Aug 31 (KNS): The Union Home Ministry's cybercrime arm has flagged a fresh wave of malicious applications disguised as pornography platforms that can hijack Android smartphones and potentially enable siphoning of funds from victims' bank accounts.
The National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit, operating under the Integrated Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), said in an advisory accessed news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that these apps are being circulated through advertisements and links on Facebook and Instagram.
The apps, operating under names such as "Night Play", "Reloop", "Kyss", "Vimo", "Rivo", "Nexo" and "Vixa", lure users with pornographic content and redirect them to phishing websites with ".live" domains, the advisory said.
Users are then persuaded to download APK files from outside the Google Play Store, which the ministry said is a major security risk.
Officials said once installed, these apps seek permissions that allow them to install additional applications and misuse Android's Accessibility feature to gain control of the device.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelSome also install a VPN, which could be used to route internet traffic linked to malicious or criminal activity, they added.
The malware can also prevent uninstallation through normal device settings, making it difficult for victims to regain control, the advisory warned.
The MHA has advised Android users to download applications only from Google Play or other trusted app stores and avoid installing APK files received through advertisements or suspicious links.
Users have also been urged not to grant Accessibility permissions to unknown applications and to periodically review installed apps for any unrecognised ones.
The cybercrime unit recommended keeping Google Play Protect enabled, updating Android devices regularly, and monitoring bank accounts and UPI transactions for any unauthorised activity.
Further investigation into the network behind these fraudulent campaigns is underway, official sources said. (KNS)
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