A worrying alert has been issued to anyone who downloads Android apps via Amazon.
A new warning has been issued to Android users and it’s not an alert you want to ignore if you use Amazon’s Appstore. Security experts from the team at McAfee say they recently found a worrying health application on this third-party marketplace and installing it could put Android phone users at serious risk.
On first impressions, the BMI CalculationVsn application looks harmless enough with it offering a simple way to check your Body Mass Index. However, the software hides some nasty secrets with it is able to start recording what is on the screen, read private SMS text messages and scan the device in a bid to steal personal data.
“Recently, we uncovered a seemingly harmless app called “BMI CalculationVsn” on the Amazon App Store, which is secretly stealing the package name of installed apps and incoming SMS messages under the guise of a simple health tool,” McAfee explained in a blog.
As soon as McAfee discovered the rogue app, it told Amazon who removed it from their servers. That doesn’t mean those who already downloaded it are safe. If you think you may have installed the application you must delete it now.
“McAfee reported the discovered app to Amazon, which took prompt action, and the app is no longer available on Amazon Appstore,” McAfee added.
“As cybercrime continues to evolve, it is crucial to remain vigilant in protecting our digital lives. Apps like “BMI CalculationVsn” serve as a stark reminder that even the simplest tools can harbour hidden threats. By staying alert and adopting robust security measures, we can safeguard our privacy and data.”
One of the benefits of using Android is that it offers more ways to download or sideload apps. However, this can put users at greater risk of installing software that is laced with bugs and malware.
To help users, McAfee has also issued some useful advice.
The secrity experts say that all Android users should think about installing reliable antivirus software on their devices and always beware when downloading new apps.
It’s a good idea to review permission requests and carefully examine what the app wants to access.
For instance, a BMI calculator has no legitimate reason to request access to SMS or screen recording.
One final tip is to watch for unusual app behaviour, such as reduced device performance, rapid battery drain, or a spike in data usage, which could indicate malicious activity running in the background.
