Hackers steal Signal, WhatsApp user data with fake Android chat app

girlfreddy@sh.itjust.works to Technology@lemmy.world – 298 points –
bleepingcomputer.com

Hackers are using a fake Android app named 'SafeChat' to infect devices with spyware malware that steals call logs, texts, and GPS locations from phones.

The Android spyware is suspected to be a variant of "Coverlm," which steals data from communication apps such as Telegram, Signal, WhatsApp, Viber, and Facebook Messenger.

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I always chuckled at my Android friends having to run AV software on their phones, but then we got Pegasus and it got harder to be smug… then the shenanigans from “legitimate” devs like Über and Tencent. It doesn’t seem like blindly trusting Apple was a great idea anymore.

It never was. Read Apple's true privacy agreement on their website. It's the one you agree to but don't read when you boot up your shiny new mac or iphone for the first time. They are no different from Microsoft or Google, they are just the best at cultivating an image.

Prepare yourself for the downvote train approaching at near lightspeed. People cannot fathom how a for profit corporation might do anything they have to to increase profit.

It's OK. Downvotes don't matter too badly here.

I'd say Apple being a lifestyle brand means the users aren't going to have privacy as a primary concern is the real reason behind this. And it's hard to get out of the walled garden once you're in.

Android friends having to run AV software on their phones

which does nothing, because even IF the "antivirus" detects malware, it has no privileges necessary to remove it.

Still a good first step… I always figured Android AV was more for people who already had a rooted phone?

Anti virus software on a smartphone makes as much sense as on a PC. Eg none at all. You just increase the attack surface for some warm fuzzy feelings.