A brand new malware is targeting Android, the security company McAfee warns. The new threat is called LeakerLocker ransomware and it attacks Android devices via applications published in the Google Play Store. Considering this fact, it appears that any Android device could be easily infected by the new malware.
According to the latest Google Play Store statistics, there are thousands of users who have already downloaded the compromised applications, and got infected with the LeakerLocker ransomware.
In fact, LeakerLocker is a mobile ransomware which does not encrypt files on your device, but only locks down your phone and steals the data in the background. The malware gets all your personal data, including addresses, contacts, text messages and calls, email browsing history, device information, and even the photos you had taken with the camera.
After that, LeakerLocker demands a ransom and threatens that if you don’t pay it, all your data will leak online and will be submitted to everyone in your contact list, which could be rather disturbing situation.
The McAfee experts claim that they have found two different applications infected with LeakerLocker ransomware in the Google Play Store. The names of the affected apps are Wallpapers Blur HD and Booster & Cleaner Pro.
Unfortunately, thousands of users have already downloaded at least one of the infected applications, though some of the reviews published in the Google Play Store question some of the permissions the apps require, including the contacts and the camera.
In most cases, it’s the reviews which help making a difference between the infected and the legitimate applications, thus users are strongly advised to check them out before downloading any apps from the Google Play Store.
Also, you should always keep an eye on the permissions the apps require, which is a very effective way for blocking compromised applications from infecting your device, especially when these apps demand an access to your contacts.
According to McAfee, users whose devices are infected with the LeakerLocker ransomware shouldn’t pay ransom to the attackers, though currently, there is no information if any victims have transferred money to the cyber criminals.
Meanwhile, Google has been warned about the malware issue, so the infected applications should be removed any minute.
