This is a real alarm signal from researchers at the cybersecurity company McAfee. The latter have in fact spotted 15 Android applications which represent a danger if they are installed on your smartphones. Let’s take stock.
Alert on SpyLoan
Experts are warning about SpyLoan applications. These are loan applications that deceive the user’s vigilance in order to recover their sensitive personal data. In some cases, these can even be used for blackmail purposes. McAfee adds:
Users receive less than the promised loan amount, but must repay the full amount plus exorbitant fees within a short time.
These applications have enjoyed some success worldwide and have been downloaded more than 8 million times. According to PhoneArenaGoogle removed some of the 15 apps, while others were updated by developers to clear the threat.
Here is the list of 15 applications mentioned by McAfee:
- com.prestamoseguro.ss
- com.vosep.rapido
- com.uang.belanja
- com.rupiahkilat.best
- com.gotoloan.cash
- com.hm.happy.money
- com.kreditku.kuindo
- com.winner.rupiahci
- com.vay.cashloan.cash
- com.restrict.bright.cowboy
- com.credit.orange.enspaces.mtn.ouest.wave.argent.tresor.payer.pret
- com.huanyamoney.prestamos.creditos.peru.loan.credit
- com.credito.iprestamos.dinero.en.linea.chile
- com.conseguir.sol.pe
- com.pret.loan.ligne.personnel
Too tempting offers
These SpyLoan-type services thrive because they promise easy-to-obtain loans with very low rates and few conditions to meet. People in delicate situations can therefore easily be convinced. Unfortunately, these deals are too good to be true.
If you have one of these applications on your mobile, it is probably best to delete them. In all cases, you must exercise great vigilance and certain signs can alert you to the presence of malware on your smartphone. This applies to unusual slowdowns or a sudden reduction in storage space.
McAfee concludes:
The threat of Android apps like SpyLoan is a global problem that exploits users’ trust and financial desperation. These apps rely on social engineering to bypass technical security measures and inflict significant harm on individuals. Despite measures taken by law enforcement to capture several groups linked to the exploitation of SpyLoan applications, new operators and cybercriminals continue to exploit these fraudulent activities, particularly in South America, Southeast Asia and in Africa.
To find out more, do not hesitate to consult the report in full here.
