{"id":130894,"date":"2021-11-02T08:40:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T15:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=130894"},"modified":"2025-05-26T03:07:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T10:07:57","slug":"squid-game-app-or-mobile-malware-in-disguise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/mobile-security\/squid-game-app-or-mobile-malware-in-disguise\/","title":{"rendered":"Squid Game App or Mobile Malware in Disguise?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s safe to say that many Americans are\u00a0obsessed with\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Squid Game<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0According to\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/netflix-squid-game-surges-past-bridgerton-online-engagement-2021-10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Business Insider<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the\u00a0Korean drama series\u00a0has driven the\u00a0newest\u00a0engagers to a Netflix title of any Netflix series over the last three years.\u00a0And while word-of-mouth buzz has played a big part in the show\u2019s success, TV watchers aren\u2019t the only ones taking note. Cybercriminals are also formulating ways to profit off\u00a0the show\u2019s popularity.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">According to the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/10\/25\/beware-the-squid-game-app-installing-malware-onto-peoples-devices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">New York Post<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, a malicious app based on <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Squid Game<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0was\u00a0recently found on the Google Play Store, infecting users\u2019 devices with malware.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Red Light: Joker Malware in Disguise<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The app in question, called \u201cSquid Game Wallpaper 4K HD,\u201d\u00a0was\u00a0one of the 200\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Squid Game<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">-related apps on the Google Play Store. This particular app masqueraded as a place to download cool <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Squid Game<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0backgrounds for\u00a0Android\u00a0devices.\u00a0However, once a\u00a0user downloaded\u00a0the app, it\u00a0infected\u00a0their\u00a0smartphone\u00a0with\u00a0a strain of\u00a0Joker malware.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/csis-techblog\/analysis-of-joker-a-spy-premium-subscription-bot-on-googleplay-9ad24f044451\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Joker malware<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is a type of billing fraud malware that usually disguises itself as a messenger, photo editor, camera, or in this case, wallpaper apps. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">You may wonder how an app like this even ends up on a legitimate app purchasing store. In order to bypass Google Play\u2019s app review process, Joker malware hides its malicious payload during the review process. This means that when the app is published in the Google Play Store, there\u2019s no sign of malware. It\u2019s only when a user installs the app that the malware downloads the malicious payload. Once the malware successfully installs itself, it secretly signs the user up for premium subscriptions, intercepts all their SMS messages, and can upload all their contacts to the malware operators. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Green Light: Secure Your Device From Mobile Malware<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The\u00a0\u201cSquid Game Wallpaper 4K HD\u201d\u00a0app\u00a0received 5,000 downloads before it was removed from the Google Play Store.\u00a0It\u2019s likely that cybercriminals will continue to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">use the show\u2019s popularity to exploit\u00a0its fans<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and make a profit, whether that be through\u00a0malicious apps disguised as\u00a0a\u00a0place where\u00a0viewers can watch the show or fraudulent websites\u00a0selling\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Squid Game<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0merchandise.\u00a0But fear not! There are steps you can take to\u00a0help ensure that you\u00a0steer clear of malware:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">1. Avoid third-party app stores<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Unlike\u00a0Google Play and Apple\u2019s App Store,\u00a0which\u00a0have measures in place\u00a0to\u00a0review and vet apps to help ensure that they are safe, third-party sites\u00a0may not have that process in place.\u00a0In fact, some third-party sites may intentionally host malicious apps as part of a broader scam. However, cybercriminals have found ways to work around\u00a0Google and Apple\u2019s review process\u00a0(such as with \u201cSquid Game Wallpaper 4K HD\u201d),\u00a0but\u00a0the chances of downloading a safe app from these stores\u00a0are far greater than anywhere else.\u00a0Additionally,\u00a0Google and Apple are quick to remove malicious apps once discovered.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">2. Do your research before you download\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Before you download a new app, do some quick research. Check out the developer.\u00a0Have they published several other apps with many downloads and good reviews? A legit app typically has several reviews, whereas malicious apps may have only a handful of\u00a0fake\u00a0five-star reviews. Lastly, look for typos and grammatical errors\u00a0in both the app description and screenshots. They could be a sign that a hacker slapped the app together and quickly deployed it.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">3. Keep a close eye on your accounts<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Certain types of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/content\/dam\/consumer\/en-us\/docs\/2020-Mobile-Threat-Report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">malware<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0strains\u00a0operate stealthily behind the scenes, commandeering login credentials\u00a0or banking information right under a user\u2019s nose.\u00a0Check your accounts every so often\u00a0and if you notice any suspicious activity, report it and change your passwords.\u00a0You can also u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">se\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/identity-theft\/protection.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ID monitoring tools<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0which will\u00a0notify you of\u00a0uncharacteristic changes or actions.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">4. Use a comprehensive security solution<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Just like you secure your computers and laptops, it\u2019s important to secure the minicomputer in your pocket\u2014your smartphone! For the strongest protection, use\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/antivirus\/mcafee-total-protection.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">comprehensive security software<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0that\u00a0shields your device from\u00a0malware\u00a0and risky websites, links,\u00a0and files.\u00a0With a few key steps, you\u00a0can\u00a0boost your confidence in the safety of your devices and personal information and enjoy\u00a0your favorite binge-worthy shows to the fullest!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s safe to say that many Americans are\u00a0obsessed with\u00a0Squid Game.\u00a0According to\u00a0Business Insider, the\u00a0Korean drama series\u00a0has driven the\u00a0newest\u00a0engagers to a Netflix&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1228,"featured_media":130900,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1838],"tags":[10813,10810],"coauthors":[7231],"class_list":["post-130894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mobile-security","tag-squid-game","tag-squid-game-app"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Squid Game App or Mobile Malware in Disguise? 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