Be suspicious of APK wedding invitations available on messaging applications security specialists advise that files may be dangerous APKs that access bank information and disappear with the accounts.
Fraudsters install malware within innocent invitations. By tapping to install an APK (Android app file) when you get it when unknown to you.
You can have the hackers access all of your phone, passwords, and payment apps. This is a mere warning that would help avoid a painful loss of money.
What these counterfeit wedding invitations do and how they are harmful
Fraudsters have discovered that human beings enjoy posting event invitations. They write flashy text messages frequently containing names, photos, or group information and send an APK purporting to be an offline invitation, a digital card, or a photo album.
The trick is Android does not restrict apps to the official store (Play Store) in case the user permits it. Automated Packages (APK) can do the following upon being installed:
- Ask for troubling access to messages, contacts, camera, and storage.
- Superimpose fraudulent login screen on banking applications to steal usernames and passwords.
- Get OTPs by text messages and send them to the hackers.
- Transfer sensitive files on the device to distant servers.
- Add more spyware that will be used silently in the background.
Since these APKs are allowed to run with permissions of the device, they are capable of masquerading as you, granting them transactions or system applications, and doing so without notice.
Most of the victims do not realize something is amiss until they get to see how unauthorized transactions have occurred in their banks or when they receive OTP messages.
Wedding invitations Red flags to identify an unscrupulous matrimonial invitation
There is no need to be tech savvy to defend yourself. Check out the following summary checks prior to opening any invite file:
Source check: Did the person inviting it make contact with you? In case it was received by a new number or a faceless message forwarder, call or confirm the sender by a different call or message.
File type: It is a file type (that is, legitimate invites), which typically opens either a PDF, an image, or an official RSVP page not an APK file. In the event that it is an APK, consider it as suspicious.
Additional inflammatory persuasion: Scammers usually infuse their insurance with terms of urgency (Open now! and to make you do without thoughtfulness, “limited time.” Pause and verify.
Wrong grammar or spelling error: Bogus messages are frequently typo ridden in terms of spelling errors, unusual grammar, or pixelated photographs. That’s a red flag.
Permission request: In case one of the applications demands some strange permissions (read SMS, access calls, or accessibility access) without being helpful, decline. The malware normally uses a tool called accessibility access to hijack apps.
How to act in case an APK that was regarded with suspicion is already installed
In case you or a family member or friend have already clicked and downloaded an APK that resembled an invitation to a wedding, then move fast:
- Turn off the internet, turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data so that it does not transmit data to the app.
- Uninstallation is done in Settings – Apps. In case it cannot be uninstalled, reboot the phone into Safe Mode and uninstall it there.
- Replace significant passwords with a wiped machine, banking, email, and any other business associated with your phone.
- Block your bank cards and report to your bank immediately in case of any suspicious transactions. Request them to put the payment on hold and reissue cards where necessary.
- Install reputable mobile antivirus software from the official Play Store and clear the resultant threats.
- Give the case to the local cybercrime units and the chat system where the file was distributed. This can aid in the prevention of the fall victim.
How to remain safe habits that are protections of your devices and your money
The secular defense is the best defense. Follow these simple habits:
- Always avoid APKs that are not signed by the known sources; that is, you should have the unknown apps setting disabled.
- Use official application stores (Google Play) and review the applications and their developer information before downloading.
- Turn on two factor authentication (2FA) in critical accounts, preferably with an authenticator app and not SMS.
- Always upgrade the operating system and applications of your phone in order to close security vulnerabilities.
- It is important tosave valuable data regularly just in case of an emergency to reboot the phone.
- Train family members to avoid this scam (particularly the elder family members) so that they do not install the risky files.
Fraudsters will continue to develop gimmicks to take advantage of our beliefs. Be suspicious of APK wedding requests that are not expected and apply some basic verifications.
One second of caution will prevent an expensive attack in the future and protect your bank information.
