Two Android File Management Spyware Apps Transfers Sensitive User Data to China

In a recent discovery, security researchers identified two spywares disguised as File Management applications on Google Play store. With more than 1.5 million combined installations, the applications are said to affect a large number of Android users worldwide.

Attributed to the same developer, the applications automatically launch without any user input to exfiltrate sensitive user data.

The applications identified as ‘’File Recovery and Data Recovery (com.spot.music.filedate)’’ show over a million installations. While the ‘’File Manager (com.file.box.master.gkd)’’ has been installed over 500,000 times.

According to the mobile security company Pradeo, the applications claim that no user data is collected. However, the company’s behavioral analysis engine discovered that without the users’ knowledge these applications collect information like real time location, contacts list including from emails and social media accounts, mobile country code, network provider details, device brand and model, operating system version, network code of SIM provider, and media files including pictures, audio, and video contents.

‘’Specifically, each application performs more than a hundred transmissions of the collected data, an amount that is so large it is rarely observed,’’ noted Pradeo. The stolen data is transferred to various servers in China, which have been identified as malicious by security experts.

Furthermore, to establish their legitimacy, the app developers seem to have used install farms or mobile device emulators to boost the numbers and ranking in the store’s search list. This theory of Pradeo can be proven as both the apps have a large number of user population but no user reviews.

To make matters worse, both the apps secure advanced user permissions that allow them to automatically launch when the device restarts. It also uses the technique to make uninstallation difficult by hiding the app icons from the home screen.

In light of this discovery, it is essential that users check for reviews before installing any application and thoroughly vet the permissions before accepting them. It is also recommended to install applications from trustworthy developers and organizations.