Online and in-app scams are rife once again in Ireland, with thousands of people being targeted each day across many platforms.
With Valentine’s Day in full swing, one particular type of scam, which involves malware infiltrating victims’ phones and other electronic equipment, is on the rise.
Cybersecurity company Kaspersky has analysed this specific malware using the names of over 20 popular dating apps.
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The keyword “dating” alone revealed 1,963 unique malicious files disguised as legitimate applications (apps).
Two-thirds were masked as Tinder, and one-third of the files were linked to Badoo.
Speaking about the rising issues of online safety, Kaspersky explained: “The danger these malicious files present varies from file to file, ranging from Trojans that can download other malware to ones that send expensive SMS messages to adware, making it likely that every ping a user gets is some sort of annoying ad notification rather than a message from a potential date”.
For example, one of the applications that looks like Tinder is, in fact, a banking Trojan that attempts to gain all rights necessary to steal money from the user.
Another application declares itself as “Settings” right after installation.
It then shows a fake error message and disappears, but there is a high likelihood that it will return with unwanted ads a few days later.
What to do?
Criminals follow money and soft hearts, experts warned.
Fortunately, there are various steps users can take to avoid falling victim to Valentine’s Day online threats and scams:
- When online, be as anonymous as possible. Avoid sharing personal information, shop as a guest, and use a VPN for extra privacy
- Do not install apps from untrusted sources, even if they seem to be actively advertised or “recommended”
- Get familiar with the privacy controls on dating websites or dating apps such as Tinder or Grinder
- Be aware of what you click on
- Take note of giveaways such as email spelling errors or an unfamiliar sender
- Type in a website’s URL into your browser window yourself instead of clicking through from a link you’ve received or a message that popped up on social media or in a text message
- Choose unique and strong passwords for all of your accounts
- Install the latest software, patches, and app updates. They are important to your digital safety and cybersecurity and help protect your data.
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