Android porn app secretly photographing users and then blackmailing them

DOWNLOADING an app for watching porn on your Android device has always been a dubious endeavour, but it somehow just got worse.

Android app blackmailing users

DOWNLOADING an app for watching porn on your Android device has always been a dubious endeavour, but it somehow just got worse.

Security experts from Zscaler have discovered the Adult Player software available for Android is malicious.

After users download the app, which isn’t available on the official Google Play store, they are asked to give the app access to the device.

This allows malicious files to be installed, which gives hackers access to the front-facing camera of the device.

The ransomware then takes pictures of the victim and stores it.

Hackers then lock the device of the user before sending a digital ransom note asking for $500 to be paid via PayPal.

In return for the payment, hackers promise to unlock the device and delete the illicit photographs obtained.

Zscaler has warned against users paying the ransom saying they will still be left with an unusable phone.

For those caught out by the security breach, Zscaler has given a step-by-step guide on how to remove the malicious software without paying a cent.

1. Boot device into safe mode (Please note that entering “safe mode” varies depending on your device). Safe mode boots the device with default settings without running third party apps.

2. Uninstalling ransomware from device requires you to first remove administrator privilege. To do the same, go to Settings --> Security --> Device Administrator and select ransomware app, then deactivate.

3. Once this is done, you can go to Settings --> Apps --> Uninstall ransomware app.

Zscaler has said this should act as a warning to all Android users.

“To avoid being victim of such ransomware, it is always best to download apps only from trusted app stores, such as Google Play,” Zscaler wrote.

“This can be enforced by unchecking the option of “Unknown Sources” under the “Security” settings of your device.”