Android users urgently told to delete chat app stealing their data

15 HIDDEN ADWARE APPS ANDROID USERS SHOULD DELETE IMMEDIATELY

Android users are being urgently warned to delete a chat app that can spy on you and steal your data.

Users of Android and owners of devices across the country have been told to make sure the chat app is not on their phones.

Worryingly, the app can infiltrate your personal information, pinching your details and placing you at risk of security breaches.

Researchers from ESET have warned about a malicious app that can spy on you and even steal your personal data.

The app is called Welcome Chat and has worryingly been downloaded by many device owners.

Lukas Stefanko, a researcher at ESET, said: “In regard to the ‘secure’ claim, nothing is further from the truth.

“Not only is Welcome Chat an espionage tool; on top of that, its operators left the data harvested from their victims freely available on the internet. And the app was never available on the official Android app store.”

Mr Stefanko explained: “Such an extensive list of intrusive permissions might normally make the victims suspicious – but with a messaging app, it’s natural they are needed for the app to deliver the promised functionality.”

If granted full permissions, the app can access your private text messages, contact lists, and view your photos.

Mr Stefanko added: “We strongly recommend that users don’t install any apps from outside the official Google Play store – unless it’s a trusted source such as a website of an established security vendor or some reputable financial institution.

“On top of that, users should pay attention to what permissions their apps require and be suspicious of any apps that require permissions beyond their functionality – and, as a very basic security measure, run a reputable security app on their mobile devices.”