Security researchers have discovered a fake Adblock Plus Android app on Google Play. Unlike its legitimate counterpart, which is designed to block ads, the fake one is designed to serve ads.
According to Kaspersky researcher Dmitry Bestuzhev, the fake Adblock Plus hides a piece that Kaspersky detects as HEUR:AdWare.AndroidOS.Starsys.b.
Once the app is installed on an Android device, it is able to perform various tasks, including reading contacts, influencing SMS messages, reading and writing files, and accessing the phone's Internet and Bluetooth.
"Evil tongues" say that this application helps cybercriminals make money through the RevMob mobile ad network, which pays users for clicks and software installations.
Fortunately, Google has removed the fake Adblock Plus from Google Play.
But check to see if you have already installed it... and most importantly... To avoid ending up with such unreliable programs on your smartphone, check before installing anything who the developer of the application is and what ratings and comments the application itself has.
