A new Trojan called Grift Horse threatens many Android users. He exploits social engineering to trick his victims into providing their phone number. Hackers then use it to subscribe users to expensive and unnecessary services!
Not a week goes by without a new threat against Android users. After the Bluetooth flaw spotted in Qualcomm equipment or this malicious copy of WhatsApp, Zimperium computer security researchers have discovered a new Trojan horse.
Called Grift Horse, this Android trojan relies on social engineering to urge victims to give out their phone number. This Trojan horse is present in more than 135 applications available on the Play Store as well as other third-party application stores. Google also specifies having removed them all from the Play Store, but nothing says that this was done on other platforms.
This Trojan only needs your phone number
The principle is simple: one of these applications sends you a notification informing you that you have won a gift and that you must claim your prize. By clicking on the notification, you are redirected to a website where you are asked to enter your phone number in order to verify your identity.
In reality, hackers get your phone numbers to subscribe without your knowledge to several overpriced fictitious services. The amounts can be up to 40 € per month. “Victims think they are winning a prize, but they are actually wrongly billed on their phone bill ”, Zimperium experts explain.
Indeed, registering for these services only requires an SMS (no credit card). Subscription fees actually carry over to your monthly phone bill. According to the researchers, Grift Horse has been active since November 2020, and given the number of infected apps, they estimate that hackers have already pocketed several hundred thousand dollars.
Read also: Android malware – the Joker is back on the Play Store
List of Android apps infected by Grift Horse
Either way, it is obviously more than advisable to uninstall any of these apps. Below is the complete list of apps infected with Grift Horse:
- Handy Translator Pro
- Heart Rate and Pulse Tracker
- Geospot: GPS Location Tracker
- iCare – Find Location
- My Chat Translator
- Bus – Metrolis 2021
- Free Translator Photo
- Locker Tool
- Fingerprint Changer
- Call Recoder Pro
- Instant Speech Translation
- Racers Car Driver
- Slime Simulator
- Keyboard Themes
- What’s Me Sticker
- Amazing Video Editor
- Safe Lock
- Heart Rhythm
- Smart Spot Locator
- CutCut Pro
- OFFRoaders – Survive
- Phone Finder by Clapping
- Bus Driving Simulator
- Fingerprint Defender
- Lifeel – scan and test
- IOS 15 Launcher
- Idle Gun Tycoo u202an u202c
- Scanner App Scan Docs & Notes
- Chat Translator All Messengers
- Hunt Contact
- Icony
- Horoscope: Fortune
- Fitness Point
- Qibla AR Pro
- Heart Rate and Meal Tracker
- Mine Easy Translator
- PhoneControl Block Spam Calls
- Parallax paper 3D
- SnapLens – Photo Translator
- Qibla Pass Direction
- Caller-x
- clap
- Photo Effect Pro
- iConnected Tracker
- Smart Call Recorder
- Daily Horoscope & Life Palmestry
- Qibla Compass (Kaaba Locator)
- Prookie-Cartoon Photo Editor
- Qibla Ultimate
- Truck – RoudDrive Offroad
- GPS Phone Tracker – Family Locator
- Call Recorder iCall
- PikCho Editor app
- Street Cars: pro Racing
- Cinema Hall: Free HD Movies
- Live Wallpaper & Background
- Intelligent Translator Pro
- Face Analyzer
- TrueCaller & TrueRecoder
- iTranslator_ Text & Voice & Photo
- Pulse App – Heart Rate Monitor
- Video & Photo Recovery Manager 2
- Быстрые кредиты 24 7
- Fitness Trainer
- ClipBuddy
- Vector arts
- Ludo Speak v2.0
- Battery Live Wallpaper 4K
- Heart Rate Pro Health Monitor
- Locatoria – Find Location
- GetContact
- Photo Lab
- AR Phone Booster – Battery Saver
- English Arabic Translator direct
- VPN Zone – Fast & Easy Proxy
- 100% Projector for Mobile Phone
- Forza H Mobile 4 Ultimate Edition
- Amazing Sticky Slime Simulator ASMR u200f
- Clap To Find My Phone
- Screen Mirroring TV Cast
- Free Calls WorldWide
- My Locator Plus
- iSalam Qibla Compass
- Language Translator-Easy & Fast
- WiFi Unlock Password Pro X
- Pony Video Chat-Live Stream
- Zodiac: Hand
- Ludo Game Classic
- Loca – Find Location
- Easy TV Show
- Qibla correct Quran Quran Koran
- Dating App – Sweet Meet
- R Circle – Location Finder
- TagsContact
- Ela-Salaty: Muslim Prayer Times & Qibla Direction
- Qibla Compass
- Soul Scanner – Check Your
- CIAO – Live Video Chat
- Plant Camera Identifier
- Color Call Changer
- Squishy and Pop it
- Keyboard: Virtual Projector App
- Scanner Pro App: PDF Document
- QR Reader Pro
- FX Keyboard
- You Frame
- Call Record Pro
- Free Islamic Stickers 2021
- QR Code Reader – Barcode Scanner
- Bag X-Ray 100% Scanner
- Phone Caller Screen 2021
- Translate It – Online App
- Mobile Things Finder
- Proof-Caller
- Phone Search by Clap
- Second Translate PRO
- CallerID
- 3D Camera To Plan
- Qibla Finder – Qibla Direction
- Stickers Maker for WhatsApp
- Qibla direction watch (compass)
- Piano Bot Easy Lessons
- CallHelp: Second Phone Number
- FastPulse – Heart Rate Monitor
- Caller ID & Spam Blocker
- Free Coupons 2021
- KFC Saudi – Get free delivery and 50% off coupons
- Skycoach
- HOO Live – Meet and Chat
- Easy Bass Booster
- Coupons & Gifts: InstaShop
- FindContact
- Launcher iOS for Android
- Call Blocker-Spam Call Blocker
- Live Mobile Number Tracker
Source: Android Authority
