BlackRock Malware Posing as Fake Google Updates To Steal Passwords and Financial Info from 337 Android Apps

In the United States alone, it is estimated that there are more than 130 million android users. Android is the operating system that powers many of the popular handheld devices used around the world. However, android users need to exercise extreme caution if they are prompted to make any Google updates.

BlackRock Is the Fake Google Update That Is Stealing Personal Data

Researchers have warned that there is a fake Google update called BlackRock. This update has been shown to be able to steal personal data from more than 337 apps, including games and streaming services like Netflix.

One of the alarming things about BlackRock is that the apps it is targeting are apps that contain personal information. These include apps used for social networking, dating apps, communication apps, and financial apps, such as many of the top online trading platforms and investing tools – basically anything that could steal your sensitive information.

This seems to be a deviation from the targets that are typically used in these types of attacks. It seems that the individuals behind the BlackRock fake update are trying to take advantage of increased online communication resulting from the coronavirus. This communication includes workers who have been sent to work remotely and friends and family members who have used online education to stay in touch since face-to-face interactions are not possible.

Once the malicious application is installed, fake Google update notifications begin to appear on the user’s phone. The malware hides the app’s icon from the app drawer. Once the privileges have been granted, Google pop-up permissions start to appear and the malware grants itself administrator permissions, giving it full access to all the information and functions on the phone.

Now, the bot that’s been installed through the fake update can receive commands from the C2 server and engage in overlay attacks. This underscores the importance of making sure that any updates that you do to your android device are from Google.

Protecting Yourself from the BlackRock Scam

The best way to protect yourself from this scam is to make sure that all the update requests you get actually come from Google. You can do this by checking for updates on the device that you are using. Simply open Systems> Systems Updates. Check for updates to see if there’s something new.

The BlackRock malware is well-made. It has shown a tremendous ability to camouflage itself or disguise itself as a genuine telecommunication, gaming, or stock apps to trade from your mobile phone. It can do intrusive spy work in the background. It is imperative that you only download apps from trusted stores.

This may mean extra effort on your part, but it’s vital that you check the reviews for the apps you are downloading and then do independent research on the company behind the app on Google. If you are not careful and you download a malicious app on your computer, especially one that is transmitting BlackRock malware, it can negatively affect your life in a dramatic way.

How to Protect Your Devices from Malicious Apps

The year 2020 has been the year of increased cybercrime and malicious apps. There are several fraudulent mobile transactions taking place. Many are capitalizing on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One report shows that there were over 29,000 malicious android apps in the first quarter of 2020. That represents an increase of 15,000 over the same quarter of the previous year.

If a person is unfortunate enough to install these apps on their device, they could experience a slowdown on their device, their personal data may be compromised, and credit cards and bank information could be accessed without consent.

Malicious apps don’t just attack behind the scenes. Many of them are designed to trick inexperienced individuals, like children and older ones, into spending money unnecessarily. Whether you’re using fun gaming apps, or some business related apps, make sure you download them from a trusted source.

But you are not without hope. There are things that you can do to keep yourself safe, especially if you use an android device.

1.    Be leery of suspicious attachments and apps that get sent to you. This is especially true if they are coming from a person you do not recognize or you receive an invite to download an app from an email address or contact that you know but would not expect to send you this request.

2.    If you are downloading apps from the Google Play Store, don’t automatically assume they are safe. Take the time to read reviews if you are concerned about if the app is safe. If in doubt, do not download. There is no app that is so important that it’s worth risking your online safety.

3.    If you allow friends and family members to use your device, make sure that they follow the same strict guidelines that you do.

How can you be sure that your device does not have malicious software or dangerous apps right now? What if you want to download an app but don’t know that it is safe?

Should You Use an Antivirus App?

The answer could be to use an antivirus app on your android device. Thankfully, there are several reputable antivirus apps available in different price ranges that offer different levels of protection. Here again, you need to use caution. The last thing you want is the antivirus app you download to be the source of the infection on your phone or tablet.

If you are looking for an antivirus app, we recommend thinking twice before using a free antivirus app. There are a few that are reputable, but many do little or nothing to protect your device. If they do provide protection, it is at the cost of your privacy.

After you download a reputable antivirus app, manually scan your device. If you are ever concerned about your device’s security or if you ever concerned about an app that you want to install, a preemptive scan is always a good idea.

Keep your android system and your apps up to date in order to take advantage of the security improvements they offer. Some devices offer automatic updates for your apps, but you need to be careful about the apps you allow to automatically update. This could introduce other problems into your system.

It’s important to be vigilant and stay aware. Protecting your device from BlackRock and other malicious apps requires a combination of common sense and vigilance. Learn the science of malware on your device and take the needed steps to clean up your phone or tablet.