Cybercriminals have once again set their sights on Android devices, aiming to deceive unsuspecting individuals into divulging personal and financial details. Users are advised to promptly uninstall any compromised apps linked to a recent scam, which involves hackers engaging in advanced advertising fraud tactics. By inundating apps with malicious advertisements, hackers can not only slow down the devices they’ve infiltrated but also profit from their actions.
The latest assault, named ‘SlopAds’, was uncovered by the Satori Threat Intelligence and Research Team. A total of 224 Android apps have been impacted by this scheme, amassing over 38 million downloads via the Google Play Store. Researchers revealed that the threat actors behind SlopAds operate a network of apps that utilize steganography to deliver fraudulent content, leading users to cashout sites owned by the perpetrators.
Google has swiftly removed all problematic apps to prevent new users from falling prey to ad fraud. Those worried about having downloaded an app affected by the SlopsAds bug will receive alerts prompting them to remove the apps. To shield against future attacks, Android users are advised to keep Google’s Play Protect feature active within the app store, as it can flag potentially compromised applications before installation and block any subsequent apps exhibiting behavior associated with SlopAds.
Ad fraud not only impacts device users but also legitimate advertisers and developers as hackers manipulate the system to display their infected ads. Google emphasized the detrimental effects of ad fraud, warning that it erodes trust within the mobile advertising ecosystem. Android users are urged to act promptly by deleting any apps identified as infected to safeguard their devices from potential threats.