Security News > 2020 > June > Bogus 'Contact Tracing' Apps Deployed to Steal Data: Researchers
At least a dozen bogus "Contact tracing" apps designed to look like official software to track coronavirus infections have been deployed globally to spread malware and steal user data, security researchers said Wednesday.
Anomali said the fake COVID-19 apps do not appear to be distributed through official channels like the Google Play Store but rather are being spread through other apps, third-party stores, and websites that encourage downloads.
Contact-tracing apps are being developed in many countries, using smartphone technology to determine when users have come into contact with an infected individual.
Anomali found bogus apps deployed in Armenia, Brazil, India, Colombia, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kyrgystan, Russia and Singapore, in some cases impersonating official government tracing applications.
A similar warning last month from a British-based association said fraudsters had tried to get users to download a bogus UK contact tracing app.