The mobile phones have become digital coffers. They keep photographs, messages, contacts and increasingly bank data and sensitive information. This value also attracts those who seek to explore them. Several cybersecurity experts are alerting to mobile phone applications that, on the appearance of legitimate tools, hide malicious code capable of accessing passage words and financial credentials.
According to the Spanish Economic Economic Journal, which closely follows trends in the technological sector, smartphones have become the main target of cybercriminals. Often the attack happens without any visible signal.
Just install a seemingly harmless application or click on a fraudulent link to open the door to software that collects private information without user consent.
VPNs fraud not dead
Attentions now fall on some VPN applications for the mobile phone. These tools are usually sought by those who want to navigate more securely and privately, but in this case they do just the opposite. Investigators of the Kaspersky antivirus company have identified six specific applications that should be immediately removed from the devices.
The list includes MASKVPN, DewvPN, PaladinvPN, Proxygate, SHIELDVPN and SHINEVPN. All appear to offer browsing protection services, but, according to the same source, hide malicious programs that can access bank and personal data.
The warning of course: Who has these installed applications should eliminate them without delay. The permanence of these programs on the mobile phone can endanger information such as email passage, social networking credentials and, above all, data related to bank accounts.
Increased victims
The phenomenon is not marginal. According to investigators, the number of users affected by this type of fraudulent applications increased 89% in the third quarter of 2024.
This growth demonstrates the effectiveness of the techniques used by attackers and the ease with which they can infiltrate the digital daily life.
The expert’s recommendation goes through a simple principle: always unload applications from official stores and distrust services that promise advanced functionalities completely free of charge.
Still according to constant surveillance is the only way to reduce the risk of cyberatheraques that are often silent but with significant consequences.
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