Google Play Store removes malware offering Netflix for free

Updated : April 08, 2021 03:19 PM IST

‘FlixOnline’, the malware, was found in the Google Play Store

The malware promised two months of a Netflix subscription free due to the pandemic

A new malware offering a free Netflix subscription for two months has spread on android phones through WhatsApp. The Check Point Research (CPR), a team of researchers that collects and analyses global cyber attack data, said the “wormable” malware was found in the Google Play Store.

And while the COVID-19 pandemic has confined us to our homes for work as well as entertainment, the malware, too, uses it to its advantage.

“FlixOnline”, the malware, looked very similar to the original Netflix application and targetted WhatsApp, the most widely used messaging app. Latest reports say the Google Play Store has taken note of the malware software and removed it from its repository of apps available for android.

The app, which disguised itself as Netflix, promised "unlimited entertainment" and two months of Netflix subscription free due to the pandemic.

According to a report in ZDNet, once any user downloads the app, the malware auto-responds to incoming messages with usually this content.

"2 Months of Netflix Premium Free at no cost For REASON OF QUARANTINE (CORONA VIRUS)* Get 2 Months of Netflix Premium Free anywhere in the world for 60 days. Get it now HERE https:// bit[.]ly/3bDmzUw. (sic)"

When you install the app, it asks for overlay permissions as well as notification permissions. The latter allows "FlixOnline" to auto-respond to messages on WhatsApp.

Besides this, the researchers also said the malware aimed at fetching important credentials and credit card information once it was downloaded and run on any android phone.

The Check Point says the malware was present on the Google Play Store for at least two months and it successfully deceived 500 people. Even though the app has now been taken down, “the malware family is likely here to stay and may return hidden in a different app,” they warned.

Another report on Thread Post said Google App Store was no alien to such malicious apps. In March alone, it said that nine apps with malicious malware were found on the android app store.

The attackers, through these apps, steal financial data from Android phones. In January, Google booted 164 apps, which, when put together, had been downloaded a total of 10 million times. These apps, too, were delivering disruptive ads, the report said.

Published : April 08, 2021 03:10 PM IST

Google Play Store removes malware offering Netflix for free

You May Also Like

Private hospitals can buy COVID-19 vaccines directly from May 1

COVID vaccination: Private vaccination centres to procure directly from manufacturers starting May 1

LIC collects highest ever new premiums worth Rs 1.84 lakh crore in FY21; claims at Rs 1.34 lakh crore

Trending on CNBC-TV18

recommended for you