This Friday (7) Meta has released an official note to warn Facebook users. A million people may have been compromised by third-party apps on the App Store and Google Play Store. According to the company’s report, last year, More than 400 applications detected stealing data from social network users.
The meta report states: Hidden apps were stealing data from the platform. Malware lurked in image editors, games, VPN services, flashlights, among other apps.
In many cases, these software contain hidden viruses, and hackers often post fake positive reviews in stores to lure users. By stealing information, cybercriminals can potentially gain full access to a user’s account and personal data.
“We have reported these malicious apps to our colleagues at Apple and Google, and they were removed from both app stores prior to the publication of this report. We also warn people who may unknowingly compromise their accounts by downloading these apps and sharing their credentials, and we help them secure their accounts.”
malicious apps
Usually, these apps require login via Facebook and this is how they manage to steal data from the social network. According to David Agranovich, Meta’s director of threat interruption, many of these apps have little or no log-on functionality.
Most of the apps are for Android, although the company finds malicious apps in the Google Play Store and App Store. In addition to notifying both app stores, Meta is also notifying a million users that may have been affected by the issue.
The company is also asking people to send messages to its Data Abuse Rewards program if they find malicious apps that compromise Facebook data.
Source: Tec Mundo
