Scammers are spreading fake Jio apps to generate advertising revenue

Ad scammers are impersonating the Indian mobile network operator Jio, which has roughly 314 million subscribers, to trick Android users into downloading apps that are nothing more than malicious software, according to research published this week. Researchers from Symantec discovered 152 Android apps that promise to provide downloaders with free data boosts, but in fact flood device screens with advertisements in order to make a buck, the security vendor said in a blog post Wednesday. The programs appear with names like My Jio 4G and My Jio Offers, or other variations on the legitimate MyJio app. The malicious apps have been downloaded more than 39,000 times since January. The discovery reaffirms how insecure Android apps can leverage users’ phones in ways they never intended. The issue is especially pervasive in developing countries like India, where analysts have predicted that 829 million people will connect to the internet via smartphone by […]

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