Data theft has become an epidemic in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, some new malware looks to take advantage of Android users’ penchant for convenience and looking good by secretly stealing information from those who download the app with which it’s distributed. Discovered by security firm Check Point, this app, called TeaBot, was downloaded over 1,000 times before it was removed from the Google Play Store earlier this month. New Data Theft App Targets Google Play Store
What Is PhoneRescue?
PhoneRescue, a data recovery tool that lets users recover their lost or deleted contacts, photos, and videos. After only two days of its release on Android Market (now known as Google Play), PhoneRescue was downloaded 10,000 times by more than 1,000 users. It is indeed quite shocking to see such an application being developed to steal personal information of Android device users, said Joseph Lai of McAfee Avert Labs.
How Do I Know If My Device Is Infected?
You can easily tell if your device is infected with TeaBot, but it’s not as easy to know how much data has been stolen. To do so, you’ll need to examine and compare your mobile device usage patterns against those of an average user.
How Much Does PhoneRescue Cost?
PhoneRescue is free to download from the Google Play store, but it will cost you around $50 to access all of its features. This includes an online backup service that keeps your data safe in case something happens to your phone. The app also comes with a one-year subscription that covers both iOS and Android devices; after a year, users will have to pay for a monthly subscription to use PhoneRescue.
Does PhoneRescue Work On Jailbroken Devices?
PhoneRescue claims that it can recover deleted data from iPhones and iPads running iOS 8 or above. However, since it’s in a very early phase of development (as far as we can tell), it may not be compatible with jailbroken devices at present. Do your research before proceeding with downloading or installing PhoneRescue.
What If My Device Has Been Compromised?
The first thing you should do if you suspect your device has been compromised is to remove all of your data, and then wipe it clean. If you don’t have a backup to restore, there are a few things you can do. The two most common ways that attackers gain access to Android devices are through malicious apps and phishing scams that trick users into downloading dangerous software.
How Can I Protect Myself From Such Malware In The Future?
Downloading a popular app, such as TeaBot, from an untrustworthy source could put your Android phone at risk. To keep yourself safe from malware in general, stick to Google Play or trusted third-party stores like Amazon. Keep your data updated regularly and avoid downloading apps that are linked to in emails you don’t recognize.