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The hackers were able to place several fake 'The Crying Game' apps in the Google Play Store, which contained the well-known 'Joker' virus, capable of draining infected users' bank accounts.
Taking advantage of the popularity of 'The Crying Game,' hackers were able to place several fake apps inspired by the Korean Netflix series in the official Google Play Store. These applications are used by cybercriminals to install the 'Joker' virus on Android smartphones, which is known for emptying users' bank accounts without their knowledge.
Despite the fact that 'The Crying Game' is the most watched Netflix series of all time, it lacks an official game or application. However, as of October 19, more than 200 apps related to Korean production had been registered, according to Lukas Stefanko, a malware analyst for the computer security company ESET, who reported on Twitter.
Over 200 #SquidGame related apps are available on Google Play
— Lukas Stefanko (@LukasStefanko) October 19, 2021
Seems like a great opportunity to make money on in-app ads from one of the most popular TV show without official game.
The most downloaded of them reached 1M installs in 10 days. Its game play is not that well handled pic.twitter.com/gCOYXXaVHY
Despite the fact that 'The Crying Game' is already officially the most watched Netflix series of all time , it does not have any official game or application . However, until October 19, more than 200 apps related to Korean production were registered, as reported on Twitter by Lukas Stefanko , a specialist in malware analysis for the computer security company ESET .
According to the threat expert, one of these apps appeared to be a collection of show wallpapers, but it actually contained the dangerous 'Joker' malware.
Squid Game themed Android Joker
— Lukas Stefanko (@LukasStefanko) October 19, 2021
1) downloads and executes native lib
2) native lib downloads and executes apk payload
Running this app on device might result in malicious ad-fraud and/or unwanted SMS subscription actionshttps://t.co/PTDtPlUkBy pic.twitter.com/AFs8gkEuab
The hackers even used the name of a company that specializes in creating wallpaper for mobile series and movies. As a result, users fell for the ruse and downloaded it, believing it to be a trusted app.
Despite the fact that the malicious app inspired by 'The Crying Game' has already been identified and removed from the Google Play Store, users can still obtain it through unofficial channels.
How the 'Joker' virus steals money from your bank accounts works
Since 2017, Android users have been terrified by the malicious software known as 'Joker.' Its method of operation is as straightforward as it is inventive and dangerous.
It is a Trojan virus that belongs to the Bread malware family, and its goal is to hack cell phone bills and authorize operations without the user's consent or knowledge.
'Joker,' once installed on the victim's smartphone, has access to text messages, contacts, and other information.
The worst part about this virus is that it modifies telephone billing services, allowing it to make charges, authorize monetary operations, and subscribe to payment services (almost always Premium or the most expensive version) without the owner's knowledge.The victim usually discovers the fraud after it is too late, when they notice that someone has been'milking' their bank accounts until they are empty.
Since the 'Joker' malware was discovered, Google Play Store defense systems have removed over 1,700 apps that contained it before users could download them.
The 'Joker' virus was discovered in 24 Android applications in September 2020, with over 500 thousand downloads before being removed. It is estimated that more than 30 countries were affected at the time, including the United States, Brazil, and Spain.
Hackers could steal up to $ 7 (about 140 Mexican pesos) per subscription weekly through unauthorized subscriptions, a figure that has most likely increased in the last year.
