It is very difficult to find out which app is secure, a recently find survey says, the battery-saving app, allows attackers to snatch text messages and read sensitive log data has been downloaded over 60,000 Android devices infected so far.
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The malicious Battery Saver app that is capable of stealing sensitive information from victims and generating revenue through ads and these malicious web page not only play the role to generate ads revenue but it also will perform the malicious information stealing actvities.
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As per RiskIQ, interesting to note is that the app does actually perform the functions it mentions:
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* Reduces battery strain in an attempt to lengthen the life of the battery
* Kills off processes using a lot of battery resources during low battery charge
* Monitors battery status
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The infection starts with a scam online advert saying that a clean up of the device will improve its performance. Clicking either Install or Cancel takes you to a play store page to download the app. Clicking the back button on the ad page generates a pop-up to try to persuade you to proceed.
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Once installed the app does indeed monitor battery status and kill off processes that are consuming a lot of energy. However, it also includes an ad-clicking backdoor and will steal information from the device including the IMEI, phone numbers, phone type, brand and model, location and more. It also has the ability to read SMS messages which the hackers use to deliver ad links for the app to click.
