Researchers have found a new spyware that may be targeting Android phones and trying to steal your personal data. PhoneSpy was found hiding inside as many as 23 apps that look benign and genuine, much like any other legitimate Android app.
PhoneSpy disguises itself as a standard mobile app that purports to stream movies, help users learn yoga, or browse photo collections. But in reality, the spyware steals documents, photos, videos, and more from the Android phone.
Researchers said PhoneSpy can access the camera of the targeted phone and use it to take photos and record videos in real time without the user's knowledge which could be a way to commit personal or corporate blackmail, but can also be used to commit cyber-espionage.
Spyware is spreading to phones through distribution methods based on web traffic redirection or social engineering.
Right now, the headcount of victims stands at 1,000, but all of them are in South Korea as the spyware was targeting South Korean citizens specifically.
PhoneSpy involves a collection of spyware apps masquerading as helpful tools. If you have any of these malicious apps on your phone, it’s imperative that you delete them immediately.
