Instragram has been immensely popular with iOS users and ever since the company announced the launch of an Instagram app for Android too, Android users have been ecstatic. However, it now seems that many rather notorious fellows are trying to play at this popularity by creating fake Instagram apps to make quick money out of it through hidden, nefarious malware.
Since Android apps can be easily distributed outside of Google Play Store, Android users have to be doubly careful compared to iOS users. Now, it has been revealed that someone has created a fake Instagram website, complete with impressive shots, which contains a fake Instagram app.
Naturally, the fake app doesn’t fall anywhere near the original Instragram app when it comes to functionality. But like they says, appearances are deceptive. A security research firm, Sophos, first discovered the app and stated, ‘In our tests, the app didn’t do a very good job of emulating the genuine Instagram app, but that may be because it failed to find the correct network operator. Because this is a malicious app that seems to be relying in the sending of background SMS messages to earn its creators revenue.’
Indeed the app contains malware and is no good. Usually, many companies would offer their apps at their own websites. However, to be very sure, you can always stick to only the authentic app stores to get your apps. Or if an app is being offered by a website that looks genuine, you can look up reviews and ratings of the app to be sure that it is well-known and authentic.
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