This porn app snaps photos of its users to aid ransom attempt

[Shawn Knight]

Security firm Zscaler recently discovered a mobile ransomware variant that lures victims in with the promise of free pornography. Once a device is infected, the app silently snaps a photo with its front-facing camera to use as leverage in order to swindle money from the victim.

The app, known as Adult Player, asks users for administration privileges during installation which should automatically throw up all sorts of red flags. In the event a user grants admin rights, the malware gets to work behind the scenes and checks to see if the host device has a front camera.

If so, the app takes a photo of the unsuspecting victim and gathers more information about the device before beaming it back to the hacker’s home server. From there, it locks the device down and displays a typical ransomware message asking for $500 to unlock it.

The ransomware also display the image of the user it captured, no doubt in an attempt to scare them into coughing up the money to avoid legal trouble or embarrassment. The app has been coded to remain onscreen even after a reboot. Zscaler notes that users will need to boot into safe mode to uninstall the offending app.

As you might have guessed, the Adult Player app wasn’t offered via Google Play which highlights the risks associated with downloading apps from third-party sources.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/62025-porn-app-snaps-photos-users-aid-ransom-attempt.html

 

[Littleczr]

This is the beginning of the end for Android. Windows 10 is in the rear view mirror.

 

[Kibaruk]

This is the beginning of the end for Android. Windows 10 is in the rear view mirror.

Really? Out of all that you read, that was your conclusion? Seriously?

 

[VitalyT]

This is the beginning of the end for Android. Windows 10 is in the rear view mirror.

Really? Out of all that you read, that was your conclusion? Seriously?

Back to getting a few more porno downloads, and quick, before the head explodes...
(no sarcasm intended)

 

[captaincranky]

I think people should search for their porn in the traditional way, using Windows XP and a desktop without a camera.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I think people should search for their porn in the traditional way, using Windows XP and a desktop without a camera.

Yeah. Us old surfers know the tricks of the trade... or so we think.

 

[captaincranky]

Yeah. Us old surfers know the tricks of the trade... or so we think.

They should really give a test to determine if people are fit to own a "smart phone". Like a driver's license for complete imbeciles. If you can't pass the test, you're stuck with a landline. I mean really, didn't these people's parents ever teach them anything? You know, just basic s*** like, "don't give all your administrative rights to the first porn app you come to"..

I ran into the last crap that was running around, scamware very similar to this. It had Dumbo's, I mean O'bama's picture on it and everything. Firefox with "NoScript" wouldn't even let it run. I clicked the window closed and went on with my life. WTF was I supposed to do, disable my AV and script prevention, then install it as an administrator? Right.. Wait here while I go get my checkbook. I'll be right back, so don't go anywhere. Still waitin', are ya?

Besides, even if worst came to worst, before I cut some hacker a check for $500.00, I'd just throw the damned phone in the trash and buy a new one.

When you come right down to it, most pornography is legal, and blackmail is a crime, (well, save for in "developing nations"),

This is Princecranky, your Nigerian emissary, signing off....

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I'd love to be able to see peoples faces and reactions to this when they get caught out. Seriously though, these devs have absolutely no scruples and people are generally so gullible. How does this crap even make it onto the Play and iStore in the 1st place? unless users are side loading it in which case it shouldn't come as a surprise.

 

[cliffordcooley]

How does this crap even make it onto the Play and iStore in the 1st place? unless users are side loading it in which case it shouldn't come as a surprise.

Here is what the last line in the article said.

As you might have guessed, the Adult Player app wasn’t offered via Google Play which highlights the risks associated with downloading apps from third-party sources.

 

[captaincranky]

How does this crap even make it onto the Play and iStore in the 1st place? unless users are side loading it in which case it shouldn't come as a surprise.

Well, because you should buy the phone with the most available "applications". No matter that you absolutely would never be able to use 150,000 apps in 2 lifetimes. Like duh-uh, more apps = better phone.

Our electric utility, ("PECO"), had a TV commercial, showing people how to "save money on their electric bill", by pulling all the power plugs out of a power strip. For Christ's sake, how stupid are the executives that commissioned this crap? How stupid was the TV network for taking on the commercial? But most importantly, how stupid could anybody at home possibly be, who went ahead and pulled all the plugs out of their power strips at home each and every night, after seeing the commercial?

I found myself screaming at my TV, "just hit the switch, you stupid son of a b*****".".

That's the baseline intellect we're dealing with. The intelligence is bred out of the human race.

Here, go read about the Bonobo Chimpanzee: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo They're every bit as smart as we are currently, and they don't smoke crack. So smarter, maybe?

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Here is what the last line in the article said.

Oh! I missed that. Typical. I very seldom read anything top to bottom unless I'm really gripped by it and I also tend to read two to three lines at once. It's a bad habit I know but that's how I've done it since I can remember.
I guess the inventors of T&C's love people like me.

 

[captaincranky]

Here is what the last line in the article said.

Skids just skims this junk, you have to make some allowance for that.

All of my rants still stand!

I still want to know how the guy in the picture tied himself up, then took his own picture from across the room. You can't fool me, that's not a selfie!

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Skids just skims this junk, you have to make some allowance for that.

All of my rants still stand!

I still want to know how the guy in the picture tied himself up, then took his own picture from across the room. You can't fool me, that's not a selfie!

Am I that obvious? Damn.

 

[captaincranky]

Am I that obvious? Damn.

Not in the least. We would have had to check the chair after you got up....

 

[cliffordcooley]

Oh! I missed that.

I didn't mean anything by it, we skimmers have to support each other.

 

[captaincranky]

I didn't mean anything by it, we skimmers have to support each other.

No biggie, nothing to worry about . One of our noobs outed him for skimming a couple of days ago. He took it well then too.....(y)

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I didn't mean anything by it, we skimmers have to support each other.

I'm being caught out too often now.

 

[Kibaruk]

The funniest thing in this thread so far is the first post'er, and there is funny s*** around here =P

Maybe if someone posts the same but as a Guest, that would be awesome.

 

[misor]

I'm safe. I catch my prawns with my head mask on....