Android and iPhone users are being told to delete specific apps from their mobile phones because they could potentially steal their data.
According to reports, Facebook has issued a warning after discovering an apparent data hack. This appears to have infected more than 400 apps and appears to have been stealing sensitive login information from smartphones. Because these apps offer popular services such as photo editors, games, and VPNs, they can easily remain unnoticed. This is because they tend to advertise themselves as popular services.
The scam apps are designed to obtain sensitive consumer information by asking users to sign in via their Facebook account once the apps have been installed. Hull Live reported that this is being done for them to be able to access their features.
It has been reported that Facebook published a post on its newsroom about a malicious app that asks users to sign in with their Facebook account. This is before they can use its advertised features. If they enter their credentials, the malware steals their usernames and passwords, which is a serious security risk.
In this case, there are official Google Play Store and Apple App Store marketplaces where these applications are available for download. This means that thousands of devices could potentially have been installed on them.
Apple and Google have already removed these apps from their application stores, however, they can still be found on third-party marketplaces, so anyone who had already downloaded the apps could still be targeted if they had done so previously.
According to Facebook, this year, they have identified more than 400 malicious Android and iOS apps that target people across the internet to steal their login information. This is in a bid to gain access to their Facebook accounts.
Apple and Google have been informed of the findings. It is working to assist those who might be affected by these results in learning more about how to remain safe and secure with their online accounts.
According to Facebook, users should take the following steps to fix the problem:
• Reset and create new, stronger passwords. Keep your passwords unique across multiple websites so that you, do not have to reuse them.
• To further protect your account, you should be able to use two-factor authentication. Preferably by using the Authenticator app as a secondary security measure.
• Make sure that you enable log-in alerts in your account settings so you are notified if anyone attempts to gain access to your account.
• Facebook also outlined some red flags that Android and iPhone users should be aware of when choosing an app that is likely to be, fraudulent.
• Users must log in with social media to use the app and, it will only function once they have completed this step.
A Facebook spokesperson added that looking at the number of downloads, ratings, and reviews may help determine whether a particular app is trustworthy.
