Over 36 Million Android Devices Compromised by Judy MalwareWe’ve seen cyberattacks truly embody their names as of late, given how the massive
WannaCry ransomware attack left quite a few in tears. Now, we have Judy malware, an auto-clicking adware campaign, which is aptly named after the main character of the gaming apps
it infects. And even though this new
“cutesy” malware, which has infiltrated more than 41 apps in the Google Play store, is characterized by the sweet avatar, it’s abilities are anything but cute.
The way Judy operates is fairly simple. After an unsuspecting user downloads one of these infected Android apps,
this malware secretly establishes a connection with a command and control server. Basically, Judy locates and clicks on banners from the Google ads, which generates revenue for the cybercriminals behind the scheme. What’s more– these infected apps often display advertisements in a way that leaves users with no other option but to click on them.
So, how many devices have been impacted so far by this ploy? A whopping 36.5 million, unfortunately, which potentially makes Judy the most widely-spread malware found on Google Play yet. So now the question is – how do mobile users stay safe?
First off, Google has removed all of the infected apps, which came from Korean developer Kiniwini, from the Google Play store. But it’s important to note that these apps are also available on iOS as well. So, all mobile users need to make sure they’re on the lookout for this attack. Therefore, in order to protect yourself from this mobile threat and others like, follow these tips:
-Do your homework. Before you even download an app, make sure you head to the reviews section of an app store first. Take the time to sift through the reviews, and keep an eye out for ones that mention that the app has had issues with security or might be a bit sketchy. When in doubt, don’t download any app that is remotely questionable.
-Keep apps up-to-date. The developer behind the Judy applications will soon likely include a security patch in the latest updates for their apps. Therefore, as a good practice, whenever updates are available for any of your applications, make sure to install them immediately.
-Use a mobile security solution. As malicious apps continue to persist in both Google’s and Apple’s official app stores, make sure your mobile devices are prepared for any threat coming their way. To do just that, cover these devices with a mobile security solution, such as
McAfee Mobile Security.
Original article: By Gary Davis on May 31, 2017
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