The Nigerian Communications Commission has warned Nigerians against downloading apps from Mobile Apps Group, a malicious Google Play Store publisher.
The NCC maintained that the group’s goods include trojans and adware that are damaging to users’ privacy.
The Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team, a unit of the NCC, has been tracking and monitoring the constant entrance of harmful mobile applications into Google Play Store, according to NCC-CSIRT’s recent advisory on the matter.
In its advisory, the NCC said the Mobile Software Group has a history of disseminating malicious apps via the Google Play store.
According to the advisory, over a million people have already downloaded the most recent round of apps.
It listed some of the malicious programs to include NCC-CSIRT as Bluetooth Auto Connect, Bluetooth App Sender, Driver: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, and Mobile transfer: smart switch.
“The apps will delay the display of ads for up to three days after installation to avoid detection. However, once this period has passed, the user is bombarded with advertisements and is directed to malicious phishing websites in the Chrome browser. While the device is idle, the malicious app can open Chrome tabs in the background. Some of the sites it opens may appear to be harmless, but they are pay-per-click pages that generate revenue for the developers when clicked on,” the advisory read.
It added, “Using the apps would result in being inundated with adverts and having private user information stolen. The consumers’ privacy and personal data are put at risk when they click on the advertising since extra malware is downloaded or installed covertly.
“These unpleasant consequences are avoidable when users refrain from downloading apps developed by Mobile apps Group and ensure to read app reviews before installing any app. Other proffered solutions are for users that may have installed any of the identified malicious apps to immediately uninstall them and to install up-to-date anti-malware solutions to detect and remove malware.”
