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ESET Discovers New Instagram Credential Stealers on Google Play

ESET
2017-03-13 15:00 3331

SINGAPORE, March 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at ESET, a global leader in proactive cybersecurity, have discovered 13 new Instagram credential stealers on the Google Play store and provided greater insight into the motivations behind their fraudulent schemes.

Instagram users have recently been the target of several new credential stealing apps, appearing on Google Play as tools for either managing or boosting the number of Instagram followers.

Under the detection name Android/Spy.Inazigram, 13 malicious applications were discovered in the official Google Play store. The apps were phishing for Instagram credentials and sending them to a remote server.

While they appear to have originated in Turkey, some apps used English localisation to target Instagram users worldwide. Altogether, the malicious apps have been installed by up to 1.5 million users. Upon ESET's notification, all 13 apps have been removed from the store.

How do they operate?

All the applications employed the same technique of harvesting Instagram credentials and sending them to a remote server. To lure users into downloading, the apps promised to rapidly increase the number of followers, likes and comments on one's Instagram account.

Ironically, the compromised accounts were used to raise follower counts of other users.

For example, one of the apps named "Instagram Followers" requires the user to log in via an Instagram lookalike screen. The credentials entered into the form are then sent to the attackers' server in plain text. After having entered the credentials, the user will find it impossible to log in, as explained in an "incorrect password" error screen.

The error screen also features a note suggesting the user visits Instagram's official website and verifies their account in order to sign in to the third-party app. As the victims are notified about unauthorized attempt to log in on their behalf and prompted to verify their account as soon as they open Instagram, the note aims to lower their suspicion in advance.

If the attackers are successful and the user doesn't recognize the threat upon seeing Instagram's notification, the stolen credentials can be put to further use.

What happens to stolen credentials?

What use is there for a couple of (hundred thousand) stolen Instagram credentials?

Apart from an opportunity to use compromised accounts for spreading spam and ads, there are also various "business models" in which the most valuable assets are followers, likes and comments.

In our research, we've traced the servers to which the credentials are sent off and connected these to websites selling various bundles of Instagram popularity boosters.

The following scheme explains how this works:

How cybercriminals steal and use Instagram credentials
How cybercriminals steal and use Instagram credentials

How to protect yourself?

If you've downloaded one of these apps, you will find one of its icons under your installed applications. You will also have seen a notice from Instagram about someone attempting to log into your account, as shown above. Finally, your Instagram account might appear to have increased following and follower numbers, or you might be getting replies to comments you never posted.

Here are five tips for users to secure their devices:

1. In order to clean your device, uninstall the above mentioned apps found in your Application manager or use a reliable mobile security solution to remove the threats for you.

2. To secure your Instagram account, change your Instagram password immediately. In case you use the same password across multiple platforms, change these as well. As malware authors are known to access other web services using the stolen credentials, you are advised to use a different password on each of your accounts.

3. To prevent getting your social media accounts compromised, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when downloading third-party apps from Google Play:

4. Do not insert your sensitive information into untrusted login forms of third-party apps. To verify whether an app is to be trusted, check the popularity of its developer by numbers of installs, ratings and, most importantly, content of reviews.  However, don't be too quick to jump to conclusions, as many of the ratings and reviews can't be trusted. When in doubt, opt for high-quality apps marked as Top Developer or found in the Editor's Choice category.

5. Last but not least, use a reputable mobile security solution to protect your device.

Samples

 

Package Name

Installs

Hash

com.vavetech.superapp

100,000 - 500,000

84E2A528571CE26735CC6EFE2F20D024F67B6F4F

com.instatakipcibegeni

100,000 - 500,000

F956C5ECFDB9939E98A3FEDEA877E2DAF91DA0CF

takipcivebegeni.app

100,000 - 500,000

E278821B390C3DD589A8B62E2CCA73E4AAFEEA98

com.tr.takdrfsfaewewe

10,000 - 50,000

470B9B632F4B66487010725CA84BC4923BFE5898

com.tr.instracker

1,000 - 5,000

BA5E2937C57726CC8CCFCBA4034F02D6DD5BBC17

com.tr.nsgrfllowers

1,000 - 5,000

F32C674DBA78A748256991A7DBB2409FDA0CF302

com.tr.sdfgbvcderfdf

1,000 - 5,000

80E0A0704D256A0D4A02AD894A6206D93010E554

com.tr.yfASTngdYRl

500 - 1,000

91CE430EA41F04C38EEB150F5E96928A0448263F

com.tr.insfollowfreeinsta

500 - 1,000

D73F268D46DDD3213B82DC288428701EA09FB949

About ESET

For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security, to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET's high-performing, easy-to-use products give consumers and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real-time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D centers worldwide, ESET becomes the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single "in-the-wild" malware without interruption since 2003. For more information visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedInFacebook and Twitter.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170313/8521701616

Source: ESET
collection