Industry experts have warned that apps designed to increase productivity and efficiency are increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals. Cisco’s 10th annual report on global cyber security issues highlighted the security risks posed by third-party apps used by employees to improve productivity in the workplace. These cloud-connected apps often gain extensive access to corporate data, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks.
The report found that out of 222,000 third-party applications used by employees in 900 organizations, 27 percent were classified as high risk. David Kennerley, director of threat research at Webroot, explained that many users do not expect productivity tools to be targeted by cyber criminals, but these apps often require a lot of information or integration with email accounts, making them attractive targets for attackers.
Malicious apps targeting Android devices have seen an increase, with productivity tools being the most affected category. Additionally, there have been reports of malicious programs disguised as popular apps like Netflix, Facebook, and WhatsApp, containing spyware called SpyNote RAT. This spyware allows attackers to remotely access devices, copy files, read messages, view contacts, and even listen to conversations through the device’s microphone.
Chris Hodson, EMEA chief information security officer at Zscaler, emphasized the importance of only downloading apps from legitimate sources like Google and Apple application stores to avoid malware. He noted that while disguised spyware is not new, cyber criminals have become more sophisticated in making malicious apps look authentic. Android users are advised to be vigilant and cautious when downloading apps to protect their devices from cyber threats.
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