A new report shows that cryptocurrencies tend to be the focus of a growing number of malicious apps.
Cryptocurrencies are good news for bad guys. That's a key finding of a new report on mobile threats from the first quarter of 2018. In another major finding, nation-state threat actors seem here to stay, and they have a growing love for mobile platforms.
The Mobile Threat Landscape Q1 2018 Report, sponsored by RiskIQ, analyzed 120 mobile app stores and billions of daily scanned resources for its data. And in spite of headlines, the overall news is promising, with a reduction in the total number of malicious apps found.
According to the report, malicious blacklisted apps are increasingly masquerading as cryptocurrency wallets, exchanges, or generic cryptocurrency applications. Once installed, these malicious apps will either begin working to steal legitimate cryptocoins from wallets, or begin mining cryptocurrency, frequently the highly anonymous Monero, using the device's compute resources.
The research also found that the vast majority — 86% — of malicious apps share the READ_SMS permission, which allows the app to read messages and can be used for functions like side-stepping two-factor authentication. Other commonly shared permissions include access to cameras, microphones, and location information.
For more, read here.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like
The fuel in the new AI race: Data
April 23, 2024Securing Code in the Age of AI
April 24, 2024Beyond Spam Filters and Firewalls: Preventing Business Email Compromises in the Modern Enterprise
April 30, 2024Key Findings from the State of AppSec Report 2024
May 7, 2024Is AI Identifying Threats to Your Network?
May 14, 2024
Black Hat USA - August 3-8 - Learn More
August 3, 2024Cybersecurity's Hottest New Technologies: What You Need To Know
March 21, 2024