“They quietly drain your accounts” – experts warn Android users about dangerous software hiding in apps

Technology experts have warned of dangerous malware affecting Android devices and stealing user savings.
Malware has been around for years. It first appeared in 2021, and has since been “shifting” for scammers to find ways to infiltrate Android users’ bank accounts.

What is Antsa malware?

The malware is called Antsa, and it is able to hide itself in apps that appear legitimate and are available for download on Google Play, Gizchina reports. The creators of the Antsa malware hide the program in seemingly legitimate apps on Google Play. By posting fake reviews for the service, they allow these apps to rise to the top of the Google Play Store rankings, prompting many people to download them before they are removed.
Malware exists in apps like the mobile cleaning app, which initially remains inactive on your phone to avoid triggering an alarm about malicious activity. As the days go by, they start to cause damage.

How Antsa infects your Android phone

If successful, the Antsa process activates malicious code and disables access to your Android device. This results in the app making decisions without any action on your part, thus enabling you to access banking applications and complete financial transactions.
Android has built-in security features to prevent these hacks, but Antsa was able to bypass them by infecting devices through Google Play.

Google Play Warning

This is one of the reasons why Google Play often warns users against downloading unverified apps.
To avoid falling victim to these hacks, it is important to be careful when using your smartphone and the apps you download on your phone.
Only download apps you use and trust. You should be careful and check the app well before downloading it by carefully reading reviews and ratings of the services.
If it sounds worrisome, it's a good idea to do more research before downloading it.
It is very important to stay on top of this as these malware services are becoming more sophisticated and difficult to detect.
Android users need to be extra careful. “Compared to the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store has less stringent security measures,” cybersecurity company Kaspersky said.

They explained that in addition, Android users can download applications from various sources on the Internet. “This creates an environment in which cyberattacks can be launched.”

Warning signs of malware on your mobile phone

Some warning signs of malware on your device include:

• Show pop-ups
• Shorter battery life
• Show unrecognized apps on your device
• The phone crashes and shuts down