In our last post, we talked about how hackers exploit fear during mass pandemics; and trust us, they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. More than 51,000 domains have been claimed in the name of COVID-19 since it reared its ugly face just a few months ago, and according to researchers, a whopping 9% of them are under investigation for the possibility of being malicious.
 
Here’s how they work: once the apps are downloaded under the guise that they’ll provide info or helpful Coronavirus-related tips, they gain control of permissions that allow them to spy on text messages, find and record username/password combinations, and even take complete control of the device itself.
 
There’s good news: these apps aren’t found on Google Play. So if you’re only downloading apps from official app stores, keeping your device updated, and have sufficient security software installed to protect your device (as we usually advise), you’re far less likely to be a victim of these cruel exploitations.