The "squid game" is still going viral — and not in a good way.
As the "squid game" craze sweeps the world, cybercriminals are scrambling to cash in on unsuspecting fans of Netflix's ultra-violent hit Korean drama. In the latest scam, a cybersecurity researcher found that an SG-themed wallpaper app, which is available on the Google Play Store, installed malware on people's phones, reports the Sun.
Lukas Stefanko, a malware researcher at security firm ESET, wrote on Twitter: "Seems like a great opportunity to make money from in-app advertising on one of the most popular TV shows without an official game."He reportedly spotted the app on the spot.
The nefarious app, dubbed "Squid Games 4K HD Wallpaper," was launched along with hundreds of other apps based on the Squid Games series. Once downloaded, the technical Trojan infects Android devices with Joker malware, allowing hackers to make money by signing you up for premium services.
Stefanko tweeted that digital scammers were using the app to conduct "malicious advertising fraud and/or unwanted SMS subscriptions," meaning affected devices could be inundated with unwanted SMS ads.
Cybercrime Fighters alerted Google to the plan, but by the time they removed it, it had already been downloaded as many as 5,000 times.
Unfortunately, fans of "Squid Game" who installed the app before it was removed from Google Play continue to be at risk from malware. Technology experts advised people to remove the app immediately to eliminate the threat.
Stefanko tweeted that digital scammers use the app to conduct "malicious advertising fraud and/or unwanted SMS subscriptions," meaning affected devices could be inundated with unwanted SMS ads.
Cybercrime Warriors alerted Google to the plan, but by the time they removed it, it had been downloaded up to 5,000 times.
Unfortunately, fans of "Squid Game" who installed the app before it was removed from Google Play are still at risk from malware. Technology experts advised people to remove the app immediately to eliminate the threat.
