Fake Signal and Telegram apps unleash China-backed spyware on Android devices
1 year, 3 months ago

Fake Signal and Telegram apps unleash China-backed spyware on Android devices

India TV News  

Malicious versions of the Signal and Telegram Android apps have been discovered on the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store, with the intention of delivering the China-linked "BadBazaar" spyware, according to cybersecurity researchers. The tainted Signal and Telegram apps, called 'Signal Plus Messenger' and 'FlyGram,' have been actively in use since July 2020 and July 2022, respectively. Signal Plus Messenger collects similar device data and sensitive information, but its primary goal is to spy on Signal communications. "Both Signal Plus Messenger and FlyGram are slightly different variants of BadBazaar that focus on user data exfiltration and espionage.

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History of this topic

Telegram security flaw: How hackers exploited a Telegram weakness to send malware file via chat
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Telegram security flaw: How hackers exploited a Telegram weakness to send malware file via chat

The Hindu  

A critical security flaw in the encrypted messaging app Telegram was reportedly exploited by attackers to spread malicious files as harmless-looking videos. When they proceed, users will be asked to okay an installation of an APK file called ‘xHamster Premium Mod,’ through Telegram. Security researcher Lukas Stefanko explained in a blog that attackers used Telegram’s API to make the payload …

Fake messaging apps espionage campaign targets Indian users
8 months, 1 week ago

Fake messaging apps espionage campaign targets Indian users

India TV News  

Researchers have reportedly discovered an active espionage campaign 'eXotic Visit', that has been targeting Android users with fake messaging apps. In a report, the researchers said, "Apps that contain XploitSPY can extract contact lists and files, the device’s GPS location, and the names of files listed in specific directories related to the camera, downloads, and various messaging apps such as …

Signal denies rumors of zero-day bug used to take over devices
1 year, 2 months ago

Signal denies rumors of zero-day bug used to take over devices

The Hindu  

Signal the instant messaging platform took to X to deny rumors spreading online of a zero-day security vulnerability related to the “Generate Link Previews” feature, stating there is no evidence the vulnerability was real. — Signal October 16, 2023 Signal in a tweet further clarified that it had checked with people across the U.S. government since reports of the vulnerability …

Fake Telegram and Signal apps on Google Play, Samsung Galaxy store used to deliver spyware: Report
1 year, 3 months ago

Fake Telegram and Signal apps on Google Play, Samsung Galaxy store used to deliver spyware: Report

The Hindu  

Malicious iterations of popular instant messaging platforms, Telegram and Signal, were found to have been uploaded to Google Play and Samsung Galaxy Store by a Chinese APT group, known as GREF. The malicious apps contained the BadBazaar spyware, which is capable of tracking a device’s precise location, stealing call logs, SMS, and contact lists, recording phone calls, accessing the camera, …

Today’s Cache | WhatsApp’s group chat update, fake ChatGPT extension, and TikTok finds support
1 year, 9 months ago

Today’s Cache | WhatsApp’s group chat update, fake ChatGPT extension, and TikTok finds support

The Hindu  

WhatsApp’s group chat update WhatsApp announced the launch of a new app for Windows which will allow users to make end-to-end encrypted video calls. Fake ChatGPT extension Threat actors are using a fake ChatGPT for Chrome to target Facebook accounts. TikTok finds support Creators on TikTok, the Chinese-owned short video app, along with three U.S. Democratic Party lawmakers said they …

Installs of Signal, Telegram jumps 197% in Ukraine amid Russian invasion
2 years, 8 months ago

Installs of Signal, Telegram jumps 197% in Ukraine amid Russian invasion

The Hindu  

Adoption of encrypted messaging apps, Telegram and Signal, surged in both Ukraine and Russia as the war between the two countries continues for nearly a month now, according to a report by market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. Sensor Tower estimated that between February 24 and March 20, installs of Telegram and Signal tripled to 1.7 million, rising 197% from 573,000 …

Fake Telegram apps are doing rounds that can hack your computer regardless of antivirus protection
2 years, 11 months ago

Fake Telegram apps are doing rounds that can hack your computer regardless of antivirus protection

India Today  

Fake Telegram apps are posing a huge threat to Windows users. The cybersecurity researchers reported that the fake app has the ability to bypass antivirus systems As per a report by Minerva Labs, fake installers of the Telegram app are being widely circulated on the Internet. "We found a large number of malicious installers delivering the same 'Purple Fox' rootkit …

Signal Restores Services After Facing Major Outage, Here's What Users Need to Do
3 years, 11 months ago

Signal Restores Services After Facing Major Outage, Here's What Users Need to Do

News 18  

Signal has restored its services a day after the application faced technical difficulties, as it dealt with a flood of new users following rival messaging app WhatsApp announced a controversial change in privacy terms. Signal continues to see a significant rise in downloads following a change in WhatsApp’s privacy terms that requires its users to share their data with both …

Signal, Telegram see demand spike as new WhatsApp terms stir debate
3 years, 11 months ago

Signal, Telegram see demand spike as new WhatsApp terms stir debate

The Hindu  

Signal and Telegram messaging apps are seeing a sudden increase in demand after larger rival WhatsApp's updated terms of service raised eyebrows on social media. WhatsApp, which uses Signal's encryption technology, laid out fresh terms on Wednesday, asking users to agree to let owner Facebook Inc and its subsidiaries collect user data, including their phone number and location. More than …

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