Experts have issued a warning that malicious fake apps could be on your phone right now, and have urged you to check whether you have any installed as they could prove to be extremely dangerous.
Cybercrime comes in many forms, and it doesn't always take visiting a dodgy website or downloading a suspicious file to find yourself subject to phishing or worse.
Scammers can target you through means as simple as a QR code or even a USB charging cable, yet some of the most harmful tools that cybercriminals use can exist on official app stores.
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With over a million different apps to choose from it can sometimes be tricky to find the best options, and you'd understandably feel safe in your assumption that anything that's made its way onto official forums isn't out to get you.
Unfortunately you couldn't be more wrong, as researchers have identified a string of malicious apps posing as popular cryptocurrency wallets that aim to steal your mnemonic phrases and gain access to your funds.
As reported by Forbes, this new report from researchers at Cyble has discovered over 20 fake apps targeting users on the Google Play Store, and has urged people to check their own devices and delete right away if you happen to have any.
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The report outlines that "they employ phishing techniques to steal users' mnemonic phrases, which are then used to access real wallets and drain cryptocurrency funds."
The accounts behind the fake apps have also created a false shield of authenticity by uploading legitimate applications beforehand, making it harder for users to spot them as fake at a quick glance.
Thankfully some have already been removed from the Google Play Store, but a few still remain available to download so it's best to double check whether you have been affected.
Here are all of the crypto wallet apps that have been mimicked by the cybercriminals:
- Pancake Swap
- Suiet Wallet
- Hyperliquid
- Raydium
- BullX Crypto
- OpenOcean Exchange
- Meteora Exchange
- SushiSwap
- Harvest Finance Blog
Having any of these apps on your phone isn't necessarily cause for alarm as there's a strong likelihood that you have the authentic version, but it's advised that you double check on the app store itself to make sure that you don't have one that might look to steal your funds.
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Cyble has recommended that you always check reviews, avoid apps that request sensitive information, and only ever download apps from verified developers.
In addition, the report also suggests downloading a reputable anti-virus program, creating strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and enabling biometric and passkey security features where applicable.
You can never be too careful after all.