{"id":132730,"date":"2015-07-08T16:00:13","date_gmt":"2015-07-08T16:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=132730"},"modified":"2015-07-08T16:00:13","modified_gmt":"2015-07-08T16:00:13","slug":"google-pulls-undeletable-app-from-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=132730","title":{"rendered":"Google pulls ‘undeletable’ app from Play"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Google has removed a malicious app from its Play store that disguised itself as a popular program.<\/p>\n

The rogue software spoofed BatteryBot Pro, a legitimate app which monitors how much power a smartphone is using.<\/p>\n

The fake app was able to send premium-rate text messages and blocked people from deleting it, said security company Zscaler on its blog.<\/p>\n

One security expert said people might have to contact their mobile provider if they had downloaded the rogue app.<\/p>\n

“Malicious apps in the Google Play store are nothing new,” said Rik Ferguson, vice-president of security research at Trend Micro.<\/p>\n

“Android is the most widely installed mobile operating system so it’s an attractive user base for attackers.<\/p>\n

“But undeletable apps like this exploit consumers who store their personal lives on a smartphone. We’re reluctant to wipe our handset in case we lose something.”<\/p>\n

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The real BatteryBot Pro costs \u00a32.49 while the fake version was available for free<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The real BatteryBot Pro is an app for Android smartphones that shows a user detailed information about their smartphone’s battery life.<\/p>\n

Like many apps, when installed it asks for permission to access the functions of a smartphone it needs to run.<\/p>\n

The fake version of the app requested access to features far beyond the scope of a battery monitor, including the ability to send text messages, install other apps and track a user’s location.<\/p>\n

It also requested administrator privileges on the smartphone, to prevent people from deleting it, even after Google had pulled it from the Play store.<\/p>\n

“I would recommend visiting your mobile provider as a first port of call,” said Mr Ferguson.<\/p>\n

“This app targets people who are not confident with technology, so I’d recommend seeking help in the High Street stores.”<\/p>\n

Zscaler said the rogue app was probably designed to commit “click fraud”: tricking online adverts into thinking a genuine user was interacting with them, to earn money for the attacker as part of a revenue-sharing agreement.<\/p>\n

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How to keep your smartphone safe<\/strong><\/figure>\n

Security expert Rik Ferguson has this advice:<\/p>\n