Necro Trojan Targets Google Play Apps, Potentially Compromising Millions of Devices - 1

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Necro Trojan Targets Google Play Apps, Potentially Compromising Millions of Devices

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Necro loader infects apps on Google Play, impacting over 11 million downloads.
  • The malware targets popular apps like CamScanner and Spotify.
  • It can install malicious applications and subscribe users to services without consent.

Kaspersky reported on Monday that they discovered the presence of Necro loader on two apps on Google Play, both of which have a substantial userbase.

This multi-stage loader is known for its ability to infiltrate popular applications and execute malicious payloads, potentially compromising the security of sensitive personal data.

According to Google Play data reported by Kaspersky, the infected applications could have been downloaded over 11 million times.

However, the actual number of infected devices might be much higher, considering that the Trojan also infiltrated modified versions of popular apps distributed through unofficial sources, the report notes.

The Necro Trojan is known to target a wide range of popular apps, including CamScanner and Spotify. By injecting malicious code into these apps’ APK files, the malware can gain access to a device and perform a variety of harmful actions, as noted by Kaspersky.

Kaspersky explains that to avoid detection, the Necro Trojan employs techniques such as steganography, which involves hiding information within other data. This makes it difficult for traditional antivirus software to identify and block the malware.

Additionally the report notes that the Necro Trojan can download and execute arbitrary files from remote servers, potentially installing additional malware or compromising the device’s security.

Another dangerous capability is its ability to install other malicious applications without the user’s knowledge or consent, further compromising the device’s security.

The Kaspersky report urges Android users to exercise caution when downloading and installing applications from third-party sources. It is recommended to stick to official app stores like the Google Play Store and avoid downloading apps from unofficial marketplaces or websites.

Additionally, users should be wary of granting excessive permissions to apps and keep their devices and apps updated with the latest security patches.

Google Announces Major Updates to Its Google TV Platform - 2

Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash

Google Announces Major Updates to Its Google TV Platform

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Google TV users will be able to link smart home devices to the platform
  • Users can get a more personalized screensaver with Google Photos and new AI features
  • The new sports page in the For You tab brings new options for sports fans

Google announced yesterday new updates for Google TV including new features to control smart devices at home, personalized displays, a new sports page, and AI-powered features with Gemini to get more information on TV shows and movies. The new features are already available today, and the company also promoted its new Google TV Streamer, the new entertainment hub now for sale at $99.99.

Google TV users will now be able to access compatible smart home devices like cameras, lights, and thermostats from the platform. “The new doorbell notifications also allow you to see who’s at the front door without pausing what you’re watching,” states the document. Users will also be able to use Google Assistant to find and control devices though voice commands.

New features to personalize the screen and platform are also available. Users can use the Ambient screensaver and add photos from Google Photos to create different types of personal screensavers with the help of AI.

In the For You tab users will find a new sports page featuring the most relevant games and sports content options including YouTube highlights, upcoming games, sports commentary, and live games.

For those who have a hard time deciding what to watch next, Google has launched a new feature with the help of Gemini to provide relevant information on TV shows and movies—like reviews, breakdowns, and summaries—through overviews.

Google TV Freeplay now includes 150 channels and users can navigate the TV guide by gender and topic to access the free channels.

Google also recently announced new features for YouTube including a platform redesign for TV users during the annual event Made on YouTube in New York.